The state Labor Committee approved a bill that would allow hourly workers to get paid if their shift gets canceled on short notice.

The bill requires employers to provide a three-day notice of any shift changes. The final vote on the bill was 9-4.

If workers are not informed of changes, they would be entitled to half their hourly pay for that shift.

Some businesses say the measure is unfair, and that they need the flexibility to staff quickly especially in bad weather.

The law would also require an 11-hour break between shifts. If no break is provided, then the employee would be granted time and a half pay.

A similar bill was stuck down last year by Connecticut lawmakers.

However, this was a key campaign promise for Democrats - and they have the numbers to pass it this year.

The bill still has to pass in the full Assembly.