... you know there's got to be a gazillion cases that go unprosecuted out there. What DOES the Dept of Labor do? Where is Hilda? I see Robert Reich all the time, but no sign of Hilda.

And here's a question: Why don't we have a national Labor News Network (LNN) on cable somewhere?

Thanks, Newsjock, for posting this...

most notably on Rev. Al's show - at least once a month and when she does these appearances, she is often on multiple shows that week including progressive talk radio, as I have heard her on SiriusXM's "The Power" station on some of those shows).

Reich has not been a federal employee in over 10 years. Hilda IS currently employed for the government and is not a paid pundit like Reich. For example see transcript from her September appearance here -

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48972310/ns/msnbc-politicsnation/t/politicsnation-friday-september-th/#.ULX7hblsrzs

In fact, I don't recall ANY of the other Federal Department heads on any of the political shows except via occasional taped interviews, where Hilda has been very active in her appearances and outreach and she has even joined marches on behalf of jobs or Civil Rights issues (representing Hispanics) including attendance at the anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery Civil Rights march held this past spring.

... we learn so much from each other. I watch MSNBC most days from Martin thru Lawrence. Guess I just missed her. And thank you for the link to the Rev Al/Hilda transcript.

If you're really wondering what the Dept of Labor does, try checking their news releases:

http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/more-newsreleases.htm

Thanks!

Complaints aren't filed because of lack of knowledge about the law combined with fear of getting fired.

For example, most retailers use time-shifting to try and get out of paying overtime (We made you work 9 hours today, so take off an hour early tomorrow). That's illegal. Once the employee goes over 8 hours in one day, it's overtime. You can't time-shift out of it.

But employees frequently don't know that. The ones that do realize their boss will fire them if they file a complaint.

No complaints, no prosecution.

...there is a contract that is agreed to by the Labor Union and Management. My son was a Union Steward for many years. He worked his job and then came home and studied the contract all night long. Nerves of steel and tact to boot. Won 80% of his cases every year. I hope more pressure is brought to bear on WalMart in the coming year(s) and that the employees end up with Union representation and good benefits. You're right about the employees being afraid to open their mouths. They're desperate. They have families and themselves to house, feed and clothe. They will do anything to bring home the bacon, even if it means being treated unfairly and indignantly.

First Rep bought a local bank in my area and that was one of the first changes they made. The former tellers didn't seem to be better trained or given much more responsibility, they were just seated at desks.