Surrounded by union members at the Wisconsin State Council of Machinists 2024 Spring Conference in Madison, Governor Evers used his veto pen to protect kids and keep parents involved in the work life of their children. By vetoing Senate Bill 436, Governor Evers preserved the important work permit process for 14- and 15- year old kids and stopped the latest attack on child labor law in Wisconsin.
The dangerous push to weaken child labor law in Wisconsin and across the country comes at a time when more children are harmed at work or work hazardous jobs. With today’s important veto, Governor Evers has rightfully halted the latest attempt to roll back the clock on child labor law.
“Asking more kids to work is not a serious plan or solution to address our statewide workforce issues,” said Governor Evers in his veto message. “I am vetoing this bill in its entirety because I object to eliminating a process that ensures our kids are protected from employers that may exploit youth and inexperience or subject children to hazardous or illegal working conditions.”
Senate Bill 436 would have eliminated the child labor work permit process for 14- and 15- year olds. The permit process keeps kids safer at work by involving parents, providing critical information about where kids work to Wisconsin’s Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and establishing needed funding for child labor law enforcement in Wisconsin. The permit process provides the Department of Workforce Development enforcement office with essential information, such as how many 14- and 15 year-olds are working, where they are working, and what job tasks they are performing. It gives parents the ability to sign off on employment for their child and receive key information about their child’s working conditions.
“Child labor safeguards are in place to protect the life, health, safety, and welfare of children,” said Alex Hoekstra, Directing Business Representative of the Machinists Union District 10. “We thank Governor Evers for taking action to uphold the work permit process for kids in Wisconsin. Strong child labor laws are essential to keeping kids safe from injury or harm at work.”
Governor Evers continues to stand up for the safety of our kids by protecting child labor law. The important work permit process for 14- and 15-year-olds keeps parents’ rights intact and helps kids stay safe on the job.
Representative Chris Sinicki, Ranking Democrat on the Assembly Committee on Labor, explained: “had this bill become law, rights of parents to be part of the decision making process of their child’s well-being and safety would be non-existent and the funding for investigations of child labor law infractions would be gone, as the permit money is used to fund these.”
We know the value of work to young people is important to developing a positive work ethic and needed job skills. Thanks to Governor Evers for once again using his veto pen to protect child labor law in Wisconsin.
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