Retailers Applaud Withdrawal of Harmful DC Scheduling Propos

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) reacted to an announcement that the Washington, DC Council has again pulled from consideration legislation that would be harmful to retail employees working in the nation’s capital. The proposal, which was removed from consideration by the full Council in June after a divisive 3-2 vote in subcommittee, will not be considered next week as had been previously announced.  

"Retailers welcome the Council’s decision to withdraw this harmful proposal from next week’s agenda,” said Joe Rinzel, senior vice president for government affairs. 

“It is clear that a strong majority of councilmembers understand the deep flaws within this proposal and have made their concerns known. Restrictive scheduling would hurt economic development in the city, and make it more difficult for students and seniors to obtain part-time or seasonal work with local retailers."   

"Retailers will continue to urge the Council to put this harmful proposal on hold until the task force commissioned by Mayor Bowser has reviewed the various workforce issues that have come before the Council and reported on the impact they will have on job and economic growth in the District.  

"Retailers have anchored economic development across the city, with newly constructed stores attracting adjacent restaurants, small business and creating thousands of new jobs for local residents. Restrictive scheduling legislation would put this progress in jeopardy, and we urge Chairman Mendelson to table this issue until the Mayor's task force has had an opportunity to do its work."  

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RILA is the trade association of the world's largest and most innovative retail companies. RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers domestically and abroad.