Lawmakers to high court: Protect pregnant workers

WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 120 members of Congress are urging the Supreme Court to recognize that pregnant workers are entitled to reasonable accommodations such as light duty. They say the protections are needed to ensure that expecting mothers are not forced out of their jobs.

In a friend-of-the-court brief filed Thursday, the Democratic lawmakers said UPS delivery driver Peggy Young of Lorton, Virginia, was unfairly treated when her employer asked her to take unpaid maternity leave, rather than provide a less strenuous position as her doctors advised.

Many of the lawmakers are pushing legislation to make the pregnancy protections explicit in federal law. They argue that the lower appeals court in Richmond, Virginia, ruled incorrectly by siding with UPS.

The case is scheduled to be heard by the Supreme Court in December.