DNC: Veterans feel the sting of Bush's overtime pay cut -- are you next?

Democratic National Committee ^ | 1/30/04 | DNC E-mail

[onyx]

Out-sourcing perhaps, but illegal aliens? Either way, it is not Bush's fault, but the democrats hope to sell it as such.

[onyx]

Shall I blame Bush for my toothache?

[verity]

Change you name to Fish because you have been hooked.

[OMalley]

I have the same question. anyone here have a link to a reliabe source, or know more about this bill?

I have not personally read anything about it, but my husband has brought it up several times. Its a real sticking point for him since his overtime me to stay at home and raise our son. which is important to both of us.

Id appreciate any imput. Hes been with the same company for 20years, is that going to qualify him as someone with a 4yr degree?

Glad this article was posted though and the opportunity to ask. Thanks in advance:)

[mewzilla]

The DNC? This from the party that did its level best to deprive service personnel of their right to vote last election? That DNC?

[The_Victor]

Used to be management before outsourcing and illegal aliens, now they're Wal-Mart greeters or burger flippers.

In which case they get overtime pay.

[CSM]

Add to that, with increased education a pay raise usually follows. So, they become salaried at higher pay grades but lose their OT. At worse it would be break even.

[NYDave]

"<> They're not all management. Don't forget about technology. Outside of consulting, these folks are also salaried. You get paid for a seven hour day and end up working 9 or 10. That's just the way it is. Even many consultants are now on a "professional day" compensation package. You've got to work at least seven, but, invariably, it ends up being more for the same pay. Again, that's just the way it is. Companies are definitely calling the shots these days. Gone are the sign-on bonuses and incentive bonuses of past years.

[onyx]

Good point. Thanks for the explanation.

[windchime]

This letter is crafted to incite insecurity and resentment. Probably was penned by the 'what is "is"' Bubba man himself.

For instance, the word military and veteran are used in the same sentence, but 'military veteran' isn't specified.

Thanks to CSM for the window into the convoluted and deceptive world of the DNC.

[RebelBanker]

The regulation in question is used to determine who is required to be hourly and who can be salaried. By definition, salaried workers (including me) are not eligible for overtime.

[CSM]

Thanks for picking up that I wasn't a troll. When I posted the first couple I was expecting to be zotted for being a DU troll. Of course, I should have expected much more from fellow freepers. You guys never cease to amaze me with the ability to see the real intent behind posts.

[ravingnutter]

Hmmmm....

The Bush administration contends the changes are necessary to update a 1938 law that defines some jobs in archaic terms, and to offer overtime to an additional 1.3 million workers earning between $10,000 and $22,100.

Source

The Labor Department estimates 640,000 workers may lose overtime pay under the proposed rules, mostly white-collar workers earning more than $65,000 a year.

Labor unions, backed by a study by the Economic Policy Institute, contend that more than 8 million workers could lose their right to overtime pay.

Source

Final regulations are expected to be similar to the earlier proposal, but opponents say the government figures are inaccurate. Jared Bernstein, with the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), says as many as 8 million workers who now get overtime will lose it. They say veterans who learned job skills in the military also would lose overtime under a change that allows work experience to make some professionals exempt.

Government officials say those with military training wouldn't lose overtime and that the current proposal isn't a change from what's now in place.

USA Today

Okay...so who is correct here? Should we depend on EPI and the union's number crunching or the Bush figures?

[MIchaelTArchangel]

It seems the RATS have decided they need to sell themselves as veterans' best friends -- while they seem to be about to run Jane Fonda Lite.

[Hoboken]

Proposed Overtime Regulations At A Glance

Highlights of the Labor Department's proposal to overhaul regulations deciding which workers must receive overtime pay:

BACKGROUND: Under the 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act, employers must pay overtime for more than 40 hours of work in a week.

PROCESS: Labor Secretary Elaine Chao proposed changing the rules, which the administration can do unilaterally without approval from Congress.

WORKERS AFFECTED: The department says up to 22 million jobs may be affected by the regulations. It says the rules will only affect salaried, white-collar office workers who do not perform manual labor. As a result of the changes, at least 644,000 white-collar workers now getting overtime could lose it, the department says. Democrats and unions say the figure is really at least 8 million. The department also says up to 1.3 million lower-paid workers now not receiving overtime would have to start receiving it. The regulations would not affect workers covered by union contract.

CHANGES IN INCOME LEVELS: Currently, workers earning up to $8,060 annually must receive overtime pay, a figure last adjusted in 1975. The proposed rule would increase that to $22,100 yearly. This would provide coverage to 1.3 million more workers

OTHER CHANGES: The regulations rewrite definitions, some dating from 1949, as to which workers would be exempted from overtime pay. The department and Republicans say these will clarify current rules; while Democrats and unions say the changes are designed to help employers forgo overtime. Requirements are dropped that workers not devote more than one-fifth of their time to activities unrelated to their main job.

Administrative employees would have to hold "a position of responsibility," doing work of "substantial importance" or "requiring a high level of skill or training." Another category - "learned professional employees" - now defined as learning their skills from "specialized intellectual instruction" could now also acquire them from work experience.

"Creative professional employees" will have to do work "requiring invention, imagination, originality or talent in a recognized field of artistic or creative endeavor," but will no longer have to "consistently exercise discretion and judgment."

[gatorbait]

Shall I blame Bush for my toothache?

Sure and vote LP because they care so much.. or the Costipation Party will help too :-)

[CSM]

Thanks. I see this is nothing to be considered a major issue.

[Mo1]

I don't know what is going on, but Bush seems to be working overtime to lose his re-election.

I'll bet you believed that cartoon the DNC had about President Bush throwing grannie down the stairs huh ??

[Mo1]

This letter is crafted to incite insecurity and resentment. Probably was penned by the 'what is "is"' Bubba man himself.

For instance, the word military and veteran are used in the same sentence, but 'military veteran' isn't specified.

That's because unions don't sound as patriotic and Veterans do

Bottom line .. the Dems are using the Veterans for THEIR own personal agenda

[CalKat]

I understand that. I am salaried as well. But don't you think this will have a negative impact on people who no longer earn overtime?