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overtime redux
"But what will happen in the long run? The broader question is whether the Bush team is merely updating antiquated rules, as Chao says, or once again pushing its conservative ideology amid soothing rhetoric. This administration has said one thing and done another in worker safety, energy policy, tax policy, foreign trade and war..."
"Congress is trying to respond to workers' demands for more flexible schedules by changing labor laws to allow hourly workers to be compensated with paid time off instead of overtime pay."
"This bill has some real merits for both workers and employers. But they also both could harmed. For those reasons, lawmakers must study the issue closely and examine all of the potential pitfalls. If this isn't a benefit to workers and employers alike, it shouldn't be enacted."
"The proposed changes make it easier for more low-wage managers to qualify for overtime by lifting the weekly salary cap to $425 a week from $155, which had been unchanged since 1975.
In citing examples, the department said managers now eligible for overtime would include: a restaurant manager who workers 50 hours a week and earns $15,600 annually; a department-store manager who logs 60 hours a week and earns $18,000 a year, and a machine-shop manager who works 42 hours weeks and earns $17,000 a year. ...
On the other hand, the changes will also block higher-paid workers ... The exemptions for professionals usually hinged on college degrees. Now that exemption will widen to include "learned professionals," those workers with a combination of on-the-job experience and technical school training. ...
Overtime pay is just one area of the nation's labor laws that the Bush administration is tackling at the urging of business groups. The Family Medical Leave Act, job training programs and unemployment insurance also could be overhauled.
Employers have been pushing for changes in overtime-pay regulations because of mounting lawsuits. ..."
"Congress is trying to respond to workers' demands for more flexible schedules by changing labor laws to allow hourly workers to be compensated with paid time off instead of overtime pay."
"This bill has some real merits for both workers and employers. But they also both could harmed. For those reasons, lawmakers must study the issue closely and examine all of the potential pitfalls. If this isn't a benefit to workers and employers alike, it shouldn't be enacted."
"The proposed changes make it easier for more low-wage managers to qualify for overtime by lifting the weekly salary cap to $425 a week from $155, which had been unchanged since 1975.
In citing examples, the department said managers now eligible for overtime would include: a restaurant manager who workers 50 hours a week and earns $15,600 annually; a department-store manager who logs 60 hours a week and earns $18,000 a year, and a machine-shop manager who works 42 hours weeks and earns $17,000 a year. ...
On the other hand, the changes will also block higher-paid workers ... The exemptions for professionals usually hinged on college degrees. Now that exemption will widen to include "learned professionals," those workers with a combination of on-the-job experience and technical school training. ...
Overtime pay is just one area of the nation's labor laws that the Bush administration is tackling at the urging of business groups. The Family Medical Leave Act, job training programs and unemployment insurance also could be overhauled.
Employers have been pushing for changes in overtime-pay regulations because of mounting lawsuits. ..."