WBEZ 91.5 Chicago

Nannies, homecare workers  and house cleaners are excluded from most labor laws: no rest breaks, no overtime, no protections from harassment, and no right to organize.

Laws around tipped workers have suppressed wages, despite a growing restaurant industry.

At a recent job, Michael Grice earned less than a dollar an hour for manual work. His wages were legal under a federal license held by over 100 Illinois organizations. 

A listener who hustles to make ends meet wants us to think about people who hustle for even less.

A picket line stretched for roughly two blocks in front of the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in the south Loop. The demonstration was organized by Unite Here which represents Hyatt Hotel workers.

After not one, but two factory closings, the former workers of Republic Windows and Doors decided to take things into their own hands.

Retail and fast food employees are calling for a downtown minimum wage of $15 an hour.