The Grinch That Stole Labor Day From Veterans

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Ah yes, it's Labor Day!

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Reprint from WorkingForChange.com & Morphizm.Com
Monday, September 5, 2005
by Greg Palast

In celebration of the working person's holiday, Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao has announced the Bush Administration's plan to end the 60-year-old law which requires employers to pay time-and-a-half for overtime.

I'm sure you already knew that -- if you happened to have run across page 15,576 of last year's Federal Register.

According to the Register, where the Bush Administration likes to place its little gifts to major campaign donors, 2.7 million workers will lose their overtime pay for a "benefit" of $1.53 billion. I put "benefit" in quotes because, in the official cost-benefit analysis issued by Bush's Labor Department, the amount employers will now be able to slice out of workers' pockets is tallied on the plus side of the rules change.



President Bush announced in his convention acceptance speech this week that he was changing overtime rules to give workers "comp time" off instead of pay. He forgot to mention that a couple of days before, on August 23, his Labor Department had already put in half the plan -- eliminating overtime pay for millions -- while failing to put into the regs one word about comp time. In the pre-September 11 days, we used to call that, "lying."

Nevertheless, workers getting their pay snipped shouldn't complain, because they will all be receiving promotions. These employees will be re-classified as managers exempt from the law. The change is promoted by the National Council of Chain Restaurants. You've met these 'managers' - they're the ones in the beanies and aprons whose management decisions are, "Hold the lettuce on that."

NO OVERTIME IN BAGHDAD

My favorite of Chao's little amendments would re-classify as "exempt professionals" anyone who learned their skill in the military. In other words, thousands of veterans will now lose overtime pay. I just can't understand why Bush didn't announce that one when he landed on the aircraft carrier.


Now I should say, according to Chao's press office, the changes will actually extend overtime benefits to 1.3 million burger flippin' managers. How does that square with the billion dollar "benefit" to business owners? Simple: The Chao hounds at the Labor Department suggest that employers CUT WAGES so that, added to the new "overtime" pay, the employees won't actually take home a dime more.

I can hear the moaners and bleeding hearts saying this sounds like the Labor Department is telling Big Business how to evade the law. Yep, that's what the Department is doing. Right there on page 15,576 of the Federal Register it says,

"Affected employers would have four choices concerning potential payroll costs: … (4) converting salaried employees' basis of pay to an hourly rate that result in virtually no changes to the total compensation paid those workers."

And in case some employer is as dense as a president and doesn't get the hint, Comrade Chao repeats, "…The fourth choice above results in virtually no (or only a minimal) increase in labor costs."

For decades the courts have thrown the book at cheapskate bosses who chisel workers out of legal overtime by cutting base pay this way… but now they'll have a new defense: Bush made me do it.

But then, there likely will not be any cases against employers anyway since Chao herself is supposedly the labor cop whose job it is to stop paycheck theft. She's well qualified for that job. Her resume reads, "Married to Republican Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky." I called her press office to ask if she qualifies for overtime, but they'd left the office early.

And there is good news for our sporting President. Word from the White House is he'll be golfing on the Labor Day weekend. Under Chao's rules he need not worry if he wants to replay that hole. "Exempt professionals" who cannot earn overtime - once defined as doctors, lawyers and those with specialized college degrees - will now include anyone who provides skilled advice… like caddies ("You might try the other end of the club, Mr. President").

http://tinyurl.com/btnk7

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

In celebration of the working person's holiday, Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao has announced the Bush Administration's plan to end the 60-year-old law which requires employers to pay time-and-a-half for overtime.

Wonder how Error and the rest of the Kool-Aid kids are gonna spin this?

[W*GS]

Those of us who are salaried have never gotten overtime pay. What's the big problem, really?

[GonzoLays]

Originally Posted by W*GS

Those of us who are salaried have never gotten overtime pay. What's the big problem, really?

That is sort of like the Government taking away your guns that kill innocent children everyday. Why do citizens need guns? Those of use who rely on our competent police departments to protect us don't need guns. What's teh big problem, really?

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Originally Posted by W*GS

Those of us who are salaried have never gotten overtime pay. What's the big problem, really?

Maybe that you've never been an hourly employee? Overtime laws were fought for and won many years ago to prevent companies from treating employees like slaves, something Bush wants to bring back again.

[Play2win]

What's next? The child labor laws?

Bush's New Vision for America is going to be 12 year old kids working 10 hour days with no Minimum Wage and No Overtime Pay...

[Garcia Bronco]

Originally Posted by Play2Win

What's next? The child labor laws?

Bush's New Vision for America is going to be 12 year old kids working.......

That actually might be better than an education is some situations. i.e. teaching a trade...be it what ever..as opposed to sitting in a classroom absorbing useless amounts of knowledge....and getting paid.

[W*GS]

Originally Posted by Bronco_Beerslug

Maybe that you've never been an hourly employee?

I've done plenty of hourly work.

Originally Posted by Bronco_Beerslug

Overtime laws were fought for and won many years ago to prevent companies from treating employees like slaves, something Bush wants to bring back again.

Why are salaried employees exempted from overtime pay? Is it that we're slaves?

[bendog]

Originally Posted by W*GS

I've done plenty of hourly work.



Why are salaried employees exempted from overtime pay? Is it that we're slaves?

yes. you had some confusion?

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Originally Posted by W*GS

I've done plenty of hourly work.

Why did you say this this if that is true?

Why are salaried employees exempted from overtime pay? Is it that we're slaves?

They weren't until Bush decided they should be.

......

[W*GS]

Originally Posted by Bronco_Beerslug

They weren't until Bush decided they should be.

I've been a salaried employee for almost 15 years now, and I've never gotten overtime, nor has it ever been allowed.

So, for salaried employees being exempted from getting overtime pay, blame someone else besides Bush.

[bendog]

Actually wags what bushii did was expand the numbers of hourly workers who could be classified supervisory and thus not paid overtime. I believe the link above was yet another move to drive down real wages. Why you'd think this is a good thing is your own deal.

[Spider]

I dont get paid overtime , havent in 20+ years ,though I can put in over a 100 hours a week with 2 log books .............. but there are alot of people on a hourly wage that get over time ..... They depend on it ....... This is just 1 more way to screw the American worker ...... Use him ,abuse him , but you cant afford to lose him the American worker ........ See you guys are to harsh on W*GS , W*GS can not step out of his world to see how laws effect other people , He sees this and says , no biggie it doesnt effect me .......

[W*GS]

Originally Posted by bendog

Actually wags what bushii did was expand the numbers of hourly workers who could be classified supervisory and thus not paid overtime. I believe the link above was yet another move to drive down real wages. Why you'd think this is a good thing is your own deal.

I didn't say I thought it was a good thing.

However, I've been putting in far more than 40 hours/week for many years - nights, weekends, holidays, etc., and I've never been paid overtime. I do understand that those who do get overtime would be angry that Bush has changed the rules so they can't get it, but I've never had that benefit.

They're welcome in my world.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Originally Posted by W*GS

They're welcome in my world.

Would you please post your info (address, phone number, and work available)
so we can get the word out to the over 16 million workers who will be affected by these new workplace rules, that you can help them out? You're doing a good thing here W*GS!

[W*GS]

Originally Posted by Bronco_Beerslug

Would you please post your info (address, phone number, and work available) so we can get the word out to the over 16 million workers who will be affected by these new workplace rules, that you can help them out? You're doing a good thing here W*GS!

Tell ya what - they help me get overtime, and I'll help them get their overtime back.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Originally Posted by Bronco_Beerslug

Would you please post your info (address, phone number, and work available) so we can get the word out to the over 16 million workers who will be affected by these new workplace rules, that you can help them out? You're doing a good thing here W*GS!

If an economic problem hasn't affected W*GS personally, then it doesn't exist, and anyone who points it out is a "crybaby."

W*GS is the quintessential poster boy for stunted social/moral development.

[W*GS]

Originally Posted by L.A. BRONCOS FAN

If an economic problem hasn't affected W*GS personally, then it doesn't exist, and anyone who points it out is a "crybaby."

W*GS is the quintessential poster boy for stunted social/moral development.

Another unwarranted and unprovoked personal attack.

Do you have anything else in your repertoire, LABF?