OnePeople

Cheapskate Overtime Rules

Some of you may have heard the story on NPR this week about how the Bush administration is proposing changes to the overtime rules. They are touting it as a way to give more OT to some million low wage workers. But, what it's really about is not allowing overtime to many more millions. Anybody who makes over $22,000 and supervises two or more people. So, your 7-11 manager? Executive, ineligible for overtime. Your McDonald's boss? Management: ineligible.

NPR pointed out that the last day to comment is Monday. I looked high and low on the Labor Department website and couldn't figure out how. So, I called. They told me it may be too late. Got another number. Was transferred. Finally got the email address. If they want to keep people from commenting this much, I'd say it's worth it so send an email.

HERE'S WHO YOU WRITE:
whd-reg@fenix2.dol-esa.gov

HERE'S WHERE THE INFO IS
http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/

March 27, 2003
U.S. Department of Labor Proposal Will Secure Overtime for 1.3 Million More Low-Wage Worker
Department Seeks to Modernize 50-Year-Old Wage Regulations
The U.S. Department of Labor today published a proposal to modernize its 50-year-old regulations defining exemptions from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for "white-collar" employees, a measure that will help small businesses grow and guarantee overtime pay for 1.3 million more low-wage workers.
"Our proposal will strengthen overtime for the most vulnerable low-wage workers and allow for stronger Department of Labor enforcement of this important worker protection," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.

Yeah, I've looked at the new rules and all that. Yes, they do raise the limit. But the point is: is the rule fair? Is $22,000 really a point at which you say, whew! now I've made it! Now I'm making so much and I have so much authority and so much invested in this company, that I don't really deserve overtime! The old rule was absurd, they supposedly went to fix it and they didn't.