March 30, 200323 yr Credit: WFTC - ABC Orlando / Associated Press Bush Administration Wants Changes In Overtime Pay Labor Department Seeks To Change Definition Of White-Collar, Blue-Collar POSTED: 10:33 p.m. EST March 26, 2003 UPDATED: 10:39 p.m. EST March 26, 2003 WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration is proposing changes in the regulations on overtime pay. The Labor Department wants to change definitions of blue-collar and white-collar work. The definitions determine who gets time-and-a-half for working more than 40 hours a week. About 110 million workers are covered by the regulations. The idea is to make as many as 1.3 million low-income workers eligible for overtime. The trade-off would be that about 640,000 white-collar workers -- such as claims adjusters and pharmacists -- would no longer get overtime. Union employees working under a contract wouldn't be affected. Business groups complain about paying overtime to professionals. There has also been a surge in overtime lawsuits against employers lately. Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Mid class slips futher and futher away from the mid line.
March 31, 200323 yr Ever more proof bush is a moron. First invading Iraq and now this . I hope he looses in 2004
March 31, 200323 yr The rich get richer.... The poor get marginally better. The middle class gets fvcked again.
March 31, 200323 yr Author Credit: US Department of Labor U.S. Department of Labor Proposal to Strengthen Overtime Protection Summary of Proposed Changes Minimum Salary Level Increased: Under current rules, an employee earning only $155 a week can qualify as a ?white collar? employee not entitled to overtime pay. The Department?s proposal would raise this minimum salary to $425 a week?an increase of $270 a week and the largest increase since the Fair Labor Standards Act was passed by Congress in 1938. The proposed changes would guarantee overtime to:An employee working 50 hours per week managing a restaurant for $15,600 per year. A worker putting in 60 hours a week managing a department store for $18,000 per year. An employee working 42 hours a week supervising a machine shop for $17,000 per year. Duties Tests Rely on ?Primary Duty?: The proposed rule retains the current ?short test? reliance on an employee?s primary duty. The proposal would eliminate the long-inactive ?long test? rule restricting exempt employees from devoting more than 20% of time in a workweek performing non-exempt duties. Executive Duties: The proposed executive duties test has three requirements: managing the enterprise; directing the work of two or more employees; and having authority to hire or fire (or such recommendations are given particular weight). Administrative Duties: The proposal would replace the ?discretion and independent judgment? test, which has been the subject of confusion and litigation, with a new test that employees must hold a ?position of responsibility.? Professional Duties: The proposal recognizes as exempt ?learned professionals? certain employees who gain equivalent knowledge and skills through a combination of job experience, military training, attending a technical school or attending community college. Employees Treated More Equitably: The Department proposes to allow deductions from the salary of exempt employees for full-day absences taken for disciplinary reasons, such as sexual harassment or workplace violence. Currently, only hourly workers? wages are subject to such deductions. The proposal retains the ?salary basis? rule prohibiting deductions from exempt salary for partial-day absences. Impact of Proposed Changes 1.3 Million Additional Low-Wage Workers Gain Overtime Protections: Increasing the minimum salary level will automatically guarantee overtime to 1.3 million additional low-wage workers. Overtime Protections Strengthened for Additional 10.7 Million Hourly Workers: Updating the duties tests will make entitlement to overtime more certain for 10.7 million workers. Enhance Economic Growth: Reducing regulatory red tape and litigation costs will free up resources and stimulate economic growth. Rules Easier to Apply and Enforce: Bringing the rules into the 21st century and clarifying the outdated regulatory language will help employees understand their rights and ensure they receive their hard-earned pay. Employers will be better able to understand their obligations and comply with the law. The Labor Department will be equipped to more vigorously enforce the law. Current rules and proposed changes (US Department of Labor)
March 31, 200323 yr Well, I wont be affected since I'm in a union that's under contract. They'd better not take that time and a half away from me :angry I usually work 48 hours a week.
April 9, 200323 yr William: Bob thinks it's you who is full of crap. The Bush Administration is doing a fine job in Bob's opinion. He's making me proud to be a Replubican.
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