MONTPELIER – Representative Millie Lennial, of Middlesex, has introduced a Bill H.2000, that would reduce the work week from forty to thirty-two hours for all Vermont workers. Lennial says the intent of the bill is to increase employment by decreasing work. \u201cIt\u2019s simple math,\u201d Lennial states. \u201cFor every four workers employed it means another job created.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lennial adds that workers losing eight hours pay weekly should accept this joyfully as they are \u201cincreasing employment rolls by twenty-five percent.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Employment Security Analyst Bay B. Boomer provided a statement which partially read: \u201cWish the Department would have thought of this.\u201d Boomer’s statement went unfinished as most employees in the administration only work thirty-two hours now and her shift was over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Professor Hiram Outright, of the Vermont State University College of Liberal Progression And Protestature, sees merit in the plan. \u201cAlthough I\u2019ve personally never held a real job, passage of the bill would give people an extra eight hours to engage in protests. That\u2019s kind of like the French thirty-two hour work week. They get two-hour lunch breaks, and thirty days of vacation as well.\u201d Outright suggests this should be the Vermont norm. \u201cAfter all, our State Capitol is Montpelier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Washington, the state\u2019s Congressional Delegation opted in to this extent. A spokesperson for Senator Leahy said, \u201cAs long as it doesn\u2019t affect those on welfare or public support it\u2019s a good idea. They are the reason we are here with our thirty-two hour jobs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Senator Sanders office responded \u201cAnything that advances the cause of Democratic Socialism is well received.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A spokesperson for Congressman Welch stated his office would respond, \u201cwhen Welch returns from taking thirty days of his accrued vacation time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
H-2000 is expected to pass after the allowed thirty-two hours of debate in both houses. It would go into effect thirty-two hours after the Governor signs it or, as he usually does, vetoes it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"