Just days after strong opposition from progressive, feminist, and labor groups forced House Republican leaders to drop the so-called Family Time Flexibility Act (HR 1119), the Bush administration renewed its efforts to alter the Fair Labor Standards Act. While the proposed Department of Labor rule change secures overtime pay for 1.3 million more low-wage workers by raising the salary limit from $8,060 to $22,100 per year, it reclassifies over 640,000 white-collar workers “holding a position of responsibility” in various industries-including aerospace, defense, health care, police, hospital, retail, and high tech-exempting them from time-and-a-half overtime wages (beyond the normal 40 hour work week), according to the National Organization for Women and the Los Angeles Times. Under the proposal, employers would have complete discretion to work these employees almost unlimited hours with lost income and reduced flexibility. The public comment period for the Department of Labor rule change ends June 30.
Meanwhile, House Republicans have pledged to bring the so-called Family Time Flexibility Act up again. Opposition groups including NOW and the AFL-CIO say they will continue to oppose proposals that are harmful to millions of working families.
TAKE ACTION Tell the Department of Labor you oppose this deceptive proposal to cheat millions of workers out of overtime pay.
Also, Urge Congress to oppose the not-so-family-friendly “Family Time Flexibility Act.”
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