\nWorkplace Discrimination for Working Parents<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
May 2, Bethlehem, Pa.<\/strong> \u2013 Amy Zanelli, candidate for Lehigh County Commissioner District 3, was in Philadelphia Monday with women\u2019s groups from the Lehigh Valley showing support for U.S. Senator Bob Casey\u2019s proposed workplace equality legislation.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Zanelli told the group she will seek guidance from Sen. Casey\u2019s staff in drafting similar rules that would affect counties.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAt the county level a board of commissioners could pass a resolution that would be comparable that would set the right tone,\u201d Sen. Casey said.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got a big fight ahead of us, so thanks for running for office,\u201d Casey told Zanelli and the other working moms who were running for office.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sen. Casey spoke about three pieces of legislation.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He<\/span> cosponsored the <\/span>Paycheck Fairness Act (S. 862)<\/span><\/b> which would increase penalties for employers who pay different wages to men and women for equal work. He is the author of the<\/span> Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (S. 1512)<\/span><\/b> which will allow that pregnant workers are given reasonable accommodations in the workplace to ensure a healthy pregnancy. And, he\u2019s introduced the <\/span>Flexibility for Working Families Act<\/span><\/b>, which guarantees employees the right to request flexible work arrangements including hours, schedules or location while also maintaining the protections of the 40-hour workweek.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Zanelli is a vocal advocate for working families and has led the fight for fair living wages and safe working conditions during her career in human services in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.<\/span><\/p>\n She personally experienced these workplace issues.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cHaving dealt with these issues twice in my career this cause is close to my heart. I was released from one position when in need of medical leave following maternity leave, and a second time when, as a single mother, I was unable to work overtime hours,\u201d Zanelli said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>\u201cWe are proud to support Senator Casey and his legislation to protect and empower women in the workforce,\u201d said Shawna Knipper, Chairperson of the Women\u2019s March PA., which has <\/span>endorsed Zanelli\u2019s candidacy in Lehigh County.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Also in attendance was Naomi Winch, president of the East Penn Democratic Club and recipient of the Lehigh County <\/span><\/p>\n Democratic Club 2017 Volunteer of the Year Award, Emmaus business owner and Planning Commission member David Weidman, Allentown School Board candidates Lisa Conover and Phoebe Harris, Anne Hoffman of Lehigh Valley Indivisible, and Maria Ocasio, a Hillary Clinton campaign organizer.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For more information about Amy Zanelli check out Facebook.com\/amyz4district3<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Information Provided By: <\/p>\n <\/p>\n ***In effort to share the Lehigh Valley’s events and happenings with out bias we will accept political press releases and positive opinion pieces. These articles do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Valley Ledger, staff, advertisers, affiliates, or any other associates of The Valley Ledger.***<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nCarolynn Fedor<\/p>\n
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