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BOSTON (AP) — President Barack Obama has spent his Labor Day courting labor unions.
Obama was met with resounding applause at a major union rally in Boston when he said he'd signed an executive order aboard Air Force One requiring federal contractors to give paid sick leave to their employees.
The Labor Day gesture to workers' groups comes as Obama works to smooth over tensions with the labor movement over his trade agenda. Major unions are opposing Obama's push for sweeping new trade deals with Asia and Europe, with some threatening to work against Democrats who voted to support those talks in Congress.
Under the executive order, employees working on federal contracts gain the right to a minimum of one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours they work. Stretched out over 12 months, that's up to seven days per year.
Business groups have argued that Obama's order would make it harder for small businesses to retain federal contractors and could hinder economic growth.
%@AP Links
176-a-12-(President Barack Obama, speaking at the Greater Boston Labor Council Labor Day Breakfast)-"days a year (cheering fades)"-President Obama says he's taken a step to grant paid leave to those working for federal contractors. (7 Sep 2015)
<<CUT *176 (09/07/15)££ 00:12 "days a year (cheering fades)"
174-a-08-(President Barack Obama, speaking at the Greater Boston Labor Council Labor Day Breakfast)-"long long time"-President Obama says Republicans keep criticizing his economic policies even though their stance against workers clearly does not work. (7 Sep 2015)
<<CUT *174 (09/07/15)££ 00:08 "long long time"
177-a-12-(President Barack Obama, speaking at the Greater Boston Labor Council Labor Day Breakfast)-"across the country"-President Obama says he's signed an executive order requiring federal contractors to give their workers paid sick leave. ((longer version of cut in wrap)) (7 Sep 2015)
<<CUT *177 (09/07/15)££ 00:12 "across the country"
173-w-37-(Sagar Meghani (SAH'-gur meh-GAH'-nee), AP correspondent, with President Barack Obama)--President Obama is using Labor Day to push paid leave for more American workers. AP correspondent Sagar Meghani reports. (7 Sep 2015)
<<CUT *173 (09/07/15)££ 00:37
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