Overtime-proposal changes welcomed

[NewJerseyDem]

http://www.thehill.com/news/042104/overtime.aspx

The Bush administration’s move to change significantly its overtime regulations has deflated a Democratic-led effort to eradicate them legislatively.

But some Democrats are claiming victory, saying their opposition to the rules forced the administration to back off from much of its initial proposal.

For the past six months, Democrats, led by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), had waged an intense fight against the proposed regulation, which they claimed would have eliminated overtime eligibility for 8 million workers. But the final regulations appear vastly different from the proposal. Department of Labor Secretary Elaine Chao told The Hill that she hopes the changes will shift support for the Harkin amendment.

Republicans defended the proposed rules, saying they were a much-needed clarification of overtime law and arguing that the proposal would provide overtime eligibility to many additional workers, only forcing some to lose eligibility.

[papau]

1. Between 100K and 500K folks lose overtime - much better than 8mil.

Requirements are dropped that workers not devote more than one-fifth of their time to activities unrelated to their main job.

"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."

A new computer employee exemption that seems to include any computer related work other than working with productivity software.

Now the fix from the previous evil proposed regs for Registered nurses is only that those who are paid on an hourly basis should receive overtime pay. However, registered nurses who are registered by the appropriate State examining board generally meet the duties requirements for the learned professional exemption, and if paid on a salary basis of at least $455 per week, may be classified as exempt - which is the screwing they wanted to make!

[burrowowl]

2. Fucktards!

RNs work their butts off and many are quitting. My Dad was in the hospital an one of the RNs said she is telling her kids not to go into the profession! Scary!

[MSgt213]

3. Quick name one thing that was a democrat issue that Bush hasn't

backtracked on when it became apparent he was going to get his ass kicked. Besides shit he has snuck through when no one is looking.