No overtime, a question....

[MsConduct]

I'm new here, so I'm sure I missed all the hoopla about the 'b' word's no overtime law.

I'm just wondering how badly you all think this law is going to affect you and your families? And what, if anything, can we poor serfs do about it?

Also, check out Greg Palast's article on the subject:
www.gregpalast.com




Peace

[MercutioATC]

1. I'm under a union contract, so it won't effect me at all...

...unless it becomes an issue when the contract is renegotiated.

[rucky]

4. it will become an issue

one more bargaining chip that they've gained and we've lost.

http://www.aflcio.org/yourjobeconomy/overtimepay/

[MercutioATC]

9. Yes, you're probably right, especially with how nasty our union's

contract renegotiation is going to be. If the government succeeds in pushing air traffic control into the Department of Homeland Security or privatizes it, things are going to change drastically.

That's why NATCA is endorsing Kerry. He's promised, in writing, that he won't seek to privatize us as Bush has.

[graywarrior]

5. It spurred some non-political friends in NH to register to vote

These people have NEVER voted in their lives. They're pissed.

[rucky]

2. it would be quite a stretch to call me a "manager"

seeing as I bag groceries and all.

this law will be overturned, but not before millions of workers get screwed over.

As for what we can do about it:

http://www.aflcio.org/yourjobeconomy/overtimepay/

[NMDemDist2]

3. thanks for the link

and i didn't see much personal response on the overtime question here. It may take a couple months for the effects to be felt by the rank and file

on another note, welcome to DU :hi:

[napi21]

6. It depends on your job and your employer.

There have been a lot of jobs catagories that have been put into a "management" catagory. Thee will be some employers who try to take advantage of this new law and misuse their employees. My biggest concern are employers like Walmart, Kmart, Target, etc. who hunt for every possible legal loophole, and sometimes some that aren't legal too. That's why they've been found guilty in so many lawsuits, and it's an ongoing problem for them.

[Sporadicus]

7. It Won't Affect Me Personally

since I'm already overtime-exempt, but that doesn't diminish my outrage over it.

[AmandaRuth]

8. this issue needs to be discussed honesty

i work in a small retail shop, only 3 employees. My manager and assistant manager are now eligible for overtime, and delighted with boosh because of this. I looked at all the stuff i could find to figure out this, and apparently workers making $10 to $12 an hour are now eligible. These people are freepers in the truest sense. Before they worked at least 5 hours a week unpaid before. Now, they can't get paid unless the overtime is approved, I think the pressure will be to work off the clock. I think the changes in the law are the labor neocons attempt to destroy the 40 hour work week. I would like to truthfully understand why this is good or bad, to help me in my argument.

[MsConduct]

10. I can't believe that more people aren't worried

about this issue.

Thanks to those who responded.

And thanks AzDem for the welcome!


Peace

[Green Lantern]

11. Two simple questions-

Who thinks this screwed up administration did this out of generosity for the wage slave?

Who is truly going to benefit?

[stavka]

12. It has not impacted me, nor any of my co-workers

...overtime for us is as scarce as hens teeth new system or old.

I have probably received 20 hours of overtime in ten years, and part of that was Y2K watch work on December 31st.

I work for a public University.

I wasn't eligible under the old system either for anything more than straight time payment of anything over 40.

I actually have a pretty good employer.

[Norquist Nemesis]

13. They're getting unexpected flak from people now getting it too!

http://www.nyjournalnews.com/newsroom/090204/d01w02overtime.html
Employers take unexpected heat over new overtime rules

The complaints began even before University of Missouri administrators e-mailed more than 400 employees to confirm what might seem a harmless change — soon, the memo said, they'd be eligible for overtime pay.

<snip>

The Bush administration's new rules on overtime pay have been at the center of a furious, and still unresolved, debate over charges they will cost millions of workers the right to overtime pay. But some employers are catching flak of a variety few expected — not from workers angry about losing overtime pay, but from some irritated about a change that gives them the right to receive it.

Overtime pay is the quintessential pocketbook issue, but the workers' objections are largely rooted in the immeasurable. For many, the change amounts to a difficult-to-define feeling that their work and status is cheapened.

[walldude]

14. Luckily I'm just under the yearly

salary to lose my O.T. If I lost it I wouldn't be able to survive. We live paycheck to paycheck as it is.

[Stephanie]

15. From what I can tell, it leaves a LOT of discretion to the employer

It's insidious. There are very vague categories - basically management, programmers, anyone who could be considered a professional, or intellectual worker. Anyone who supervises two or more subordinates. They really leave it to the employer to make the call. Which of course is the whole idea.