White House Wins Fight on OT Rule Changes

[zimv20]

link (http://www.newsday.com/business/nationworld/ats-ap_business14nov22,0,4185595.story?coll=sns-business-headlines)


White House Wins Fight on OT Rule Changes

By ALAN FRAM
Associated Press Writer

November 22, 2003, 3:17 AM EST

WASHINGTON -- Foes of the Bush administration's proposed rules changing which workers would qualify for overtime pay abandoned their fight Friday in the face of unrelenting pressure from the White House and the House.

Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, the chief Republican opponent of the new rules, agreed to drop a provision killing the regulations from a massive spending bill, lawmakers, congressional aides and lobbyists said.

Critics of the new rules said they could lead to 8 million Americans losing eligibility for overtime pay, largely white-collar workers earning more than $65,000 a year. Administration officials say more than 644,000 such employees would lose the time-and-a-half pay now required when they work more than 40 hours in a week.

[...]

"Just in time for the holidays, the White House has delivered another gift for big business, along with a pay cut for millions of working families," Harkin said in a written statement.

[...]

The department [of Labor] says its proposal would require that 1.3 million low-wage workers now ineligible for overtime pay to start receiving it or a salary boost. Officials proposed boosting the salary cap in current law from $8,060 a year, set in 1975, to $22,100 a year to help the low-income workers. Opponents were not trying to block that provision.

[Thanatoast]

Nicce little trick there. By forcing congressmen to fight the bill based on it's cutting of overtime, the WH can claim the congressmen are trying to cut benefits for the little guy.

I'm getting both sick and tired of the administration fighting for the interests of the corporations instead of for the intrests of the people. Can we please elect someone else next year?

[skunk]

Oh PLEASE yes. Anyone.

[Ugg]

Payoff time yet again for all gw's buds and fewer tax dollars coming in. Yeah, another two in one accomplishment. Anyone wanna wager how long it takes him to bankrupt this country?

[Rebel]

Someone who stocks shelves could be considered an exempt employee if they also spend some time handling customer complaints. Most white-collar workers with any education beyond high school would be placed in a category of “learned professional” and would likely be exempt — unable to earn overtime. Some of the most impacted job types would include mid-level supervisors such as restaurant managers or safety inspectors; professionals such as dietitians, social workers, emergency medical technicians, nurses, surveyors, reporters, chefs, cooks, and writers; and technical specialists, such as dental hygienists, drafters or computer programmers.

Among the arguments is that by paying less overtime to more highly skilled workers, employers would have more money in their payroll to hire new employees and reduce the unemployment rolls. The belief in the new rules is; by increasing the number of salaried workers — would allow employers to shift more work onto salaried employees, extending their work hours without any cost to the company. In fact, the original purpose of the FLSA rules were to guarantee certain worker rights, both in establishing a minimum wage and in preserving a 40-hour work week — discouraging companies from overworking employees by imposing, in essence, a financial penalty.

Bottom line, it’ll be more profit, but it won’t end up in worker paychecks. More profit for companies means more campaign contributions for politicians. Politicians are in it for the money. Public service is not their mission anymore.

[zimv20]

Originally posted by Rebel

Among the arguments is that by paying less overtime to more highly skilled workers, employers would have more money in their payroll to hire new employees and reduce the unemployment rolls.

any of the GOP-leaners gonna call 'communism' on this?