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OPA News Release: [05/21/2004]
Contact Name: Jane Norris
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Meets with F.O.P. Leaders in Minneapolis about New Overtime Rules

MINNEAPOLIS—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao traveled to Minneapolis, Minn. today to join with the Fraternal Order of Police (F.O.P.) National Trustee for Minnesota, Chuck Schauss, and Minnesota F.O.P. State President, Gary Cayo, to highlight how the department’s new overtime security rules strengthen and expand overtime rights for police and other first responders.

“For the first time in history, the overtime rights of police, firefighters, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, public safety employees, blue-collar workers and workers paid by the hour are fully protected,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao, speaking to a group of Minnesota law enforcement officers and F.O.P. members.

The new rules, unveiled in April, guarantee and strengthen overtime rights for more American workers than ever before. They modernize and clarify overtime regulations that were first created in 1938. The old regulations were so outdated that they created a legal nightmare. Many white-collar workers were forced to go to court to find out if they were eligible for overtime. Overtime complaints now generate more federal class action lawsuits than employment discrimination complaints.

“New jobs are being created and the unemployment rate is dropping here in Minnesota and across the country,” continued Secretary Chao. “The Department’s new rules will help 6.7 million more workers receive overtime and curb lawsuit abuse. The new rules will mean less money will be spent on litigation and more money spent on paying workers more overtime or hiring new workers as the economy continues to grow.”

Under the 50-year-old regulations, only workers earning less than $8,060 annually were guaranteed overtime. Under the new rules, workers earning $23,660 or less are guaranteed overtime. This strengthens overtime protection for 6.7 million low-wage salaried workers, including 1.3 million salaried white collar workers who were not entitled to overtime pay under the existing regulations.

The department’s new Overtime Security rules were published in the Federal Register on April 23, 2004 and take effect on August 23, 2004. For more information about the regulations and for a text version of the rules, visit the department’s website at www.dol.gov/fairpay.

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