On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate is likely to vote on a measure to guarantee that nobody will lose overtime pay when President Bush’s overtime pay changes become law Aug. 23, 2004.
Please call your U.S. senators today to help save overtime pay.
Call your senators:
Sen. Edward Kennedy at 202.224.4543
Sen. John Kerry at 202.224.2742
Tell them:
"Please vote in favor of the Harkin amendment to protect overtime pay. Nobody should lose his or her right to overtime pay."
Two weeks ago, the Bush administration published the final rule changes for overtime pay and announced Aug. 23, 2004 as the official date the rule changes will go into effect. The Bush administration has claimed virtually nobody will lose overtime pay after final implementation of the new rules. But early analysis of the changes indicates that, contrary to administration claims, many workers will lose their overtime pay. If the administration wants to stand by its claims, we have just one thing to say: "Put your promises in writing!"
Over the past year, the primary legislation to protect overtime pay–the Harkin amendment–had one simple intent: to guarantee that nobody would lose overtime pay protections. However, the Bush administration fought tooth and nail to defeat this legislation. Even after Bush lost in the U.S. House and Senate, backroom maneuvering effectively scuttled overtime protections.
To protect the right to overtime pay, the 40-hour workweek and the eight-hour day, we need to win in the Senate this week. Overtime pay protections should be in writing with the force of law, not just in press releases from Bush administration officials.
Please call:
Sen. Edward Kennedy at 202.224.4543
Sen. John Kerry at 202.224.2742
Tell them:
"Please vote in favor of the Harkin amendment to protect overtime pay. Nobody should lose his or her right to overtime pay."
After you call, please forward this e-mail to your friends, family and co-workers. Ask them to act today to save overtime pay.
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