Response from my Congressman - Help me reply with facts!

[CheshireCat]

Just received this email from my Congressman Joe Wilson of SC.

What a dork! Says the overtime changes will increase worker pay.

Please help me come up with facts for a reply - possibly to use with a LTE.

Here is his reply to my concerns about the new overtime laws:


Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding the Department of Labor and overtime pay. I appreciate your taking the time to write.

I understand your concerns and welcome your interest in this issue. As you may know, on April 23, 2004, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued its final rules regarding overtime pay. Unfortunately, there has also been a tremendous amount of misunderstanding regarding the new law and what it means to the American worker.

Such misunderstanding involves loss of pay to the worker. I can assure you that there is no plan to take money out of the hands of those who diligently show up for work day in and day out. It has been estimated that the new rule will increase payroll, not decrease it. Approximately 1.3 million salaried "white collar" workers will see a total increase of $375 million a year. Also, another 5.4 million workers will receive guarantees in overtime protections. In all, the final rule is creating more income, not decreasing.

Overtime rights have become a very important issue for the American worker. Unfortunately, current laws do not properly protect workers in the workplace. Because of the new rule, it is estimated that over 6.7 million workers will be protected. Additionally, for the first time in history under the Fair Labor Standards Act, blue color workers are given separate guarantees that never existed before. Section 541.3(a) of the new rule lists who is to be covered in the "blue color" worker category. These are carpenters, electricians, mechanics, plumbers, iron workers, craftsman, operating engineers, longshoreman, constriction workers and laborers. Also, Section 541.4 gives rights to union members who receive overtime pay as a result of the collective bargaining obtained by that union. In all, the list of positive aspects to the new rule indicates how important it was to update this law, now more than five decades old.

The many encouraging aspects to this new rule have already shown signs of success in the economic growth that we have seen this past summer. Please be assured that I will carefully consider your views, as related legislation is addressed on the House Floor.

It is an honor to represent the people of the Second Congressional District of South Carolina, and I value your input. If I may be of further assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me.

[IIgnoreNobody]

1. Read this Economic Policy Institute report

http://www.epinet.org/content.cfm/briefingpapers_flsa_jun03

[CheshireCat]

2. Bump!

Hey mods! I posted this in the wrong forum. Meant to put it in General Discussion. Will you moveit for me, please.

Thanks

[Rabrrrrrr]

3. Interesting he never says HOW it increases pay

Just offers it as a fact. Though Im sure he was given the rightwing fact points to spew back out to the people from the assholes in charge, and like most clueless sheeple, just spits it back out.

What an asshole.

I'm really, rally curious how it is supposed to increase worker's pay.