Obama tests work policies on federal contractors

AZ Central:  WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama is using the federal government's vast array of contractors and subcontractors as a labor policy incubator, ready to sidestep Congress to impose workplace rules on wages, pay disparities and hiring on a segment of the private sector that gets taxpayer money and falls under the chief executive's control.

Obama this week plans to issue an order prohibiting federal contractors from retaliating against workers who discuss their pay. He will also direct the Labor Department to issue new rules requiring federal contractors to provide compensation data that includes a breakdown by race and gender.

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