Labor Commissioner Manning Holiday Phones

Harry Payne is manning the phones at the Labor Department.

Payne and his staff are answering job-related questions from workers all day.

He says a lot of callers have questions about changes in their company or industry.

"There's a level of insecurity with companies shifting and transferring and moving," Payne said.

To ask the Commissioner of Labor a question, call him before 5 p.m. at 1-800-LABOR-NC.

Meanwhile, a new study by the Common Sense Foundation gives North Carolina a C-minus for how it treats its workers.

The report says many working people are struggling to make ends meet, despite our state's economic boom.

Researchers looked at wages, benefits, job safety and workers' rights to organize. They recommend raising the minimum wage.

The report also recommends repealing the right-to-work law, and granting equal pay regardless of race or gender.