Statement by NC State AFL-CIO President MaryBe McMillan on the creation of the Durham Workers’ Rights Commission:

“We applaud Mayor Steve Schewel and the City Council for creating the Durham Workers’ Rights Commission and setting an example for other cities. Today’s action shows that even with pre-emption and other constraints legislative leaders have placed on local governments, city officials can raise the bar and take proactive steps to ensure that working people are treated fairly.

“We will work with union members and community partners to encourage other municipalities to create similar commissions. At the same time, we will continue to lobby the legislature to remove the unnecessary restrictions they have placed on local governments’ ability to improve labor standards. Our lobbying efforts will include joining with Durham city leaders to call for the repeal of G.S. 95-98 that denies government entities the freedom to enter into collectively negotiated contracts with their employees.

“The legislature’s job is to set the floor not the ceiling for wages, leave policies, and safety requirements. Local officials should be empowered to raise standards in their communities. We thank the workers and city officials in Durham for upping the ante and pushing our legislature and local governments to do better by working people.”