Think we need a clear labor message to rally around. Call it “the fight for 215” or “the case for 215.”
Though not perfect, I always admired the messaging of 8/8/8 in labor movements of the late 19th/early 20th centuries: 8 hours of work, 8 hours of leisure, and 8 hours of sleep. Think there needs to be another simple mantra to get behind.
Why should we rally behind a 215 work day schdule? Average American worker gets 11 days of paid vacation a year. That’s abysmally low.
Here’s how 215 work days a year plays out.
There’s 365 days in a year. 104 weekend days. Subtract 365 from 104 and we’re down to 261 days left. 11 federal holidays off, down to 250 days a year. Leaves each worker with 35 paid vacation days off to get to 215 work days a year. Workers would also get 1 sick day a month, or 12 a year, not factored into vacation time.
What’s this schedule modeled after? Public education administration jobs are often on 215 work day schedules + 12 sick days a year. Look at principals, district workers, county workers, etc. Incredibly common schedule. Here’s an example of 37 days off from a private company. Would put them at a 213 day schedule.
215 is a nice round number. Round numbers help with messaging.
Curious to hear your thoughts. Curious about input from folks from Europe too.