Alert from Working America: SAVE FMLA!!!

They're doing it again.

Last year, the Bush administration's Department of Labor took the first step toward making it harder for working people to take unpaid leave for medical and care-giving purposes under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

They postponed their attack—because people like you spoke out about the importance of family and medical leave. Today, it's time to act again.

Why? Because they've proposed new rules that will make it more difficult to take FMLA leave. But before they make any decisions, the Department of Labor is accepting public comments. This is your chance to tell them you oppose the restrictive proposed changes to the FMLA rules.

Here's one of the changes they're proposing:

The Labor Department wants to let employers contact medical providers directly, sometimes without employee consent. If these proposed changes are approved, your boss—or anyone at your workplace—could be allowed to call and question your doctor without your knowledge. This proposed change to FMLA rules could open the door to violations of your medical privacy.

That's an extra burden working people don't need, especially when dealing with serious illness. Will you tell the Department of Labor that you oppose this proposed change to the FMLA rules?

Here's another change they're trying to make:

The Department of Labor wants to require more frequent medical visits for workers who request FMLA leave. Who will pay for these extra medical visits? You guessed it—you will, either outright or through co-pays, and through lost time at work. Plus, you could find yourself footing the bill for all the extra paperwork your health care professionals will have to undertake.

Potentially sensitive communications with an employee's doctor should be left in the hands of other medical professionals—NOT placed in the hands of employers. Please respond now to let the Department of Labor know that you're against this proposed change. Our strength is in numbers—we will compile your comments and submit survey results before the deadline.

We only have a few days to tell the Labor Department how we feel about these proposed changes to the FMLA. Together, the members of Working America can make an impact. We've done it before—and with your help, we can do it again.

Sincerely,

Working America, AFL-CIO