Long_Term_Impact

The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938: Revolutionizing the Rights of Workers

Long Term Impact

Joe Biden, President Biden delivers first address to a joint session of Congress, April 21st 2021

Amendments to the FLSA

    While the Fair Labor Standards Act has been amended over 20 times since its creation, most aspects of the act remain similar today. The most recent update to the federal minimum wage increased it to $7.25 an hour in 2009. Many people today, including former President Joe Biden, believe the $7.25 doesn’t provide a living wage anymore and have pushed for a new federal wage floor of $15. Studies show that a minimum wage of $15 could lift 900,000 Americans out of poverty, but could lead to 1.4 million losing their jobs. Minimum wage will continue to be amended as inflation drives the price of living higher and higher.

"I continue to urge Congress to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, so that American workers can have a job that delivers dignity."
​​​​​​​- Joe Biden , January 28th 2022

How the minimum wage has changed since it was first created in 1938, CNN Politics

"The straight fact is that a fair minimum wage doesn't hurt business in any way. Decent employers want to treat their employees decently. Unfortunately, there are always a few exceptions, a few who see opportunities in exploiting the poor and the defenseless and who force well-meaning employers to compete with them in their unholy dealings. This new minimum wage law, with its increased minimum, with its expanded coverage, will prevent much of this exploitation of the defenseless--the workers who are in serious need."                                   -  Lyndon B. Johnson, remarks after signing the 1966 amendments to the FLSA, September 23rd 1966

A Lasting Legacy

    The Fair Labor Standards Act has and continues to affect the rights and lives of all workers covered by the act. Minimum wage and the 40-hour workweek allow employees to get fair pay for their work, and also prevent employers from taking advantage of their employees with cheap wages. Most employer-employee relationships today are built using the rights established by the FLSA. The Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor is responsible for enforcing the act and ensuring workers get their rights. Finally, the ban on oppressive child labor ensures that children today can experience a proper education and enjoy a fulfilling childhood.

"Today, Americans take for granted minimum wages and overtime rates and the fact that children don’t work. But that’s only because laws like the FLSA protected—and still protect—American workers from the dangers of unregulated capitalism."  - Peter Cole, author for Time articles, June 24th 2016

Employers of employees covered by the FLSA have to display this poster so their workers understand their rights under the FLSA.

Fair Labor Standards Act Minimum Wage Poster, c. 2023, Wage and Hour Division

"The Fair Labor Standards Act succeeded in improving labor standards and actual working conditions, a result that continues to better the daily lives of millions of working Americans." 
- Nathaniel Ruby, author for the Economic Policy Institute, January 25th 2013