FMI, NGA applaud 'full-time' bill passage

Retail trade groups, including Food Marketing Institute and National Grocers Association, on Thursday applauded U.S. House passage of a bill that change the definition of “full-time” to 40 hours per week for purposes of the Affordable Care Act.

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“FMI greatly appreciates House passage of H.R. 2575 — the Save American Workers Act of 2014 — to raise the Affordable Care Act’s 30-hour per week ‘full-time employee’ definition to practical workforce standards,” said Jennifer Hatcher, SVP, government and public affairs, FMI. “We thank every representative who voted in support of H.R. 2575 on behalf of their neighborhood grocery stores.”

The bill, which was sponsored by Rep. Todd Young, R-Ind., and also championed by Rep. Dan Lipinski, D-Ill., passed with a bipartisan vote of 248 to 179.

"Simply stated, the new definition of a full-time employee [in the ACA] does not reflect the needs of our members’ workforces, and will impact the makeup of the entire American workforce by drastically altering what opportunities are available to part-time workers who choose to work part-time jobs," said Peter J. Larkin, president and CEO of NGA. "We are pleased to see H.R. 2575 pass on a bipartisan basis as it realigns the law to better reflect current employment practices.

“And, more importantly, the definitional change will allow our members to return their focus to being an employer of choice in the communities they serve. We are grateful for Congressman Young's leadership on bringing this bill forward and look for swift consideration in the Senate."

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