The Guardian psots the AP report that Bush is backtraking on OT.
Retreating under pressure, the Bush administration intends to revise a proposed overtime regulation to preserve eligibility for most white-collar workers making up to $100,000 a year as well as for police, firefighters and other first responders, Republican officials said Monday.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said revisions also would guarantee overtime for lower-wage workers making less than $23,660 a year, up from the $22,100 initially proposed.
The article goes on to say who is now going to get OT
Republican officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the proposed revisions would make it explicit that police, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and other ``first responders'' would be eligible for overtime. Administration allies had said that was clear from the initial proposal, but critics disputed them.
Licensed practical nurses and registered nurses also would be eligible, these officials said.
The plan also makes clear that military veterans would not lose overtime pay. The initial plan would have let employers count military training toward classifying workers as professionals who are exempt from overtime pay. Democrats and labor unions had criticized that provision as trying to take away premium pay from military veterans.
Then there are changed brackets for who gets what and when:
The provision relating to white collar workers marked a clearer retreat. Under the initial proposal, white collar workers making $65,000 and above would have been at risk for losing their eligibility. Under the revisions, those making $100,000 would generally retain their eligibility.
Under current regulations, low-wage earners making less than $8060 must receive overtime pay. Chao proposed raising that to $22,100 last, year. The revised regulation will place it at $23,660, officials said.
So, it sounds like somebody is listening. This is good, actually. How it plays out politically remains to be seen. We have got to keep hammering him on the flip-flopping, though.