BS: Bush stabs the working folks -

Subject: BS: Bush stabs the working folks -
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 02 Feb 04 - 09:37 PM

President Bush is about to finalize changes in the laws governing overtime pay that could take away overtime protections from at least 8 million people. His changes will cut paychecks for families, erode the 40-hour workweek and encourage employers to require more overtime work. The changes include a new "military penalty" that would allow employers to use military training as the basis for cutting overtime pay.

Please sign the online petition opposing President Bush's overtime pay take-away by clicking on the link below.

http://www.saveovertimepay.org/

We all need to get involved before these important workplace protections are hurt.

Thanks.

I hope this hasn't already been posted - but if so - it'll bring the dead back to life -

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: Bush stabs the working folks -
From: Bobert
Date: 02 Feb 04 - 09:58 PM

Heck with petitions.

Vote the guy the heck out!!!

The crook and his henchmen/cronies put more legislation in the Omnibus **spending bill** than has ever been seen in American politics!!!...

This administration is Hell bent on pushing the US labor movement back into the 1800's. Yeah, they've wrapped themselves in the flag (as if they own the friggin' thing), started wars and huffed and puffed their way into a position to wipe out the middle class.

Yeah, now it's crapola like "Individual Responsibility". What a friggin' load of crap. Translated "individual responsibility" means "Screw you, you commies, I own the friggin' government. Any qustions???.......... Didn't think soQ!!!"

Welcome to George Bush's America. Cradle to the grave work and more work. Heck, the US worker is allready like *way, way, way* overworked and underpaid in comparision to other industrialized nations and now it looks as if the gap is going to get even bigger...

"Oh when them cotten balls get rottin'
You can't pick very much cotten...."

But it gonna be $15 a hundred pounds no matter so yopu may have to be in dem firlds a little longer to make them payments on yer credix cards....

Vote these crooks out!!!
Vote these crooks out!!!

Forget petitions... Like, ahhh, the crooks who read don't give a rats butt about 'um..

Vote these crooks out!!!

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Bush stabs the working folks -
From: Rapparee
Date: 02 Feb 04 - 10:15 PM

Whyever did you think that he would not?

I agree with Bobert -- a clean sweep! But is there anyone who WOULD stand up for the working class? Beyond just promises, I mean?

In the Unions there may be strength, but their political strength has been split, divided, and eroded.

There seems to be no "us" anymore, only "me". On both sides of the aisle.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush stabs the working folks -
From: Peace
Date: 02 Feb 04 - 10:20 PM

When a dog pisses on a fire hydrant it is not committing an act of vandalism. It is simply being a dog.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush stabs the working folks -
From: Rapparee
Date: 02 Feb 04 - 10:22 PM

Yeah, brucie, but the fire hydrant doesn't have to like it.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush stabs the working folks -
From: Bobert
Date: 02 Feb 04 - 11:05 PM

Operative word: dog...

This, contrary to popular opinion, is *not* a dog's world...

Vote 'em out...

As fir who would do a better job than than the current crop of crooks? Put a blind fold on, open up yer danged phone book and just let yer finger land on any name in there. That person is exactly the person who would do more for the average American than Bush...

And I mean that very seriously.

This administration brings a new meaning to the word "corruption".

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Bush stabs the working folks -
From: Teresa
Date: 02 Feb 04 - 11:23 PM

Couldn't agree with you more, Bobert.

And after throwing him out, send him to Mars.
Teresa

Subject: RE: BS: Bush stabs the working folks -
From: Bobert
Date: 02 Feb 04 - 11:41 PM

Well, Teresa, we'll tell him (wink, wink) that we're gonna send him to Mars....

Make it Pluto, fir me.....

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Bush stabs the working folks -
From: GUEST,pdc
Date: 02 Feb 04 - 11:48 PM

...which takes us back to dog!

Subject: RE: BS: Bush stabs the working folks -
From: GUEST,fiddler
Date: 03 Feb 04 - 12:39 AM

This is what you can expect when there is only one political party, the Republicans control everything and they will fuck us over just because they can. It is vital to our survival to get rid of the bum in the White House. Please VOTE!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Bush stabs the working folks -
From: LadyJean
Date: 03 Feb 04 - 01:24 AM

I can't sign the petition because the link didn't go through.


LET'S SEND THAT SON OF A BUSH BACK TO TEXAS!!!! Unless we can send him someplace worse.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush stabs the working folks -
From: Amergin
Date: 03 Feb 04 - 01:28 AM

Stealing Money From Workers petition

Subject: RE: BS: Bush stabs the working folks -
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 03 Feb 04 - 09:26 AM

Thanks for fixing the link for me Amergin. I just wish that Bobert would tell us how he really feels.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush stabs the working folks -
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 03 Feb 04 - 09:51 AM

Here's the full bill - not as bad as the AFL-CIO would have us think I reckon -

S.317
Family Time and Workplace Flexibility Act (Introduced in Senate)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



SEC. 2. WORKPLACE FLEXIBILITY OPTIONS.

(a) COMPENSATORY TIME OFF- Section 7 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 207) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(r)(1)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), no employee may be required under this subsection to receive compensatory time off in lieu of monetary overtime compensation. The acceptance of compensatory time off in lieu of monetary overtime compensation may not be a condition of employment or of working overtime.

`(B) In a case in which a valid collective bargaining agreement exists between an employer and the labor organization that has been certified or recognized as the representative of the employees of the employer under applicable law, an employee may only be required under this subsection to receive compensatory time off in lieu of monetary overtime compensation in accordance with the agreement.

`(2)(A) An employee may receive, in accordance with this subsection and in lieu of monetary overtime compensation, compensatory time off at a rate not less than one and one-half hours for each hour of employment for which monetary overtime compensation is required by this section.

`(B) In this subsection:

`(i) The term `employee' means an individual--

`(I) who is an employee (as defined in section 3);

`(II) who is not an employee of a public agency; and

`(III) to whom subsection (a) applies.

`(ii) The term `employer' does not include a public agency.

`(3) An employer may provide compensatory time off to employees under paragraph (2)(A) only pursuant to the following:

`(A) The compensatory time off may be provided only in accordance with--

`(i) applicable provisions of a collective bargaining agreement between the employer and the labor organization that has been certified or recognized as the representative of the employees under applicable law; or

`(ii) in the case of an employee who is not represented by a labor organization described in clause (i), a written agreement arrived at between the employer and employee before the performance of the work involved if the agreement was entered into knowingly and voluntarily by such employee and was not a condition of employment.

`(B) The compensatory time off may only be provided to an employee described in subparagraph (A)(ii) if such employee has affirmed, in a written statement that is made, kept, and preserved in accordance with section 11(c), that the employee has chosen to receive compensatory time off in lieu of monetary overtime compensation.

`(C) No employee may receive, or agree to receive, the compensatory time off unless the employee has been employed for at least 12 months by the employer, and for at least 1,250 hours of service with the employer during the previous 12-month period.

`(D) An employee shall be eligible to accrue compensatory time off if such employee has not accrued compensatory time off in excess of the limit applicable to the employee prescribed by paragraph (4).

`(4)(A) An employee may accrue not more than 160 hours of compensatory time off.

`(B) Not later than January 31 of each calendar year, the employer of the employee shall provide monetary compensation for any unused compensatory time off accrued during the preceding calendar year that was not used prior to December 31 of the preceding calendar year
at the rate prescribed by paragraph (8). An employer may designate and communicate to the employees of the employer a 12-month period other than the calendar year, in which case the compensation shall be provided not later than 31 days after the end of the 12-month period.


`(C) The employer may provide monetary compensation for an employee's unused compensatory time off in excess of 80 hours at any time after providing the employee with at least 30 days' written notice. The compensation shall be provided at the rate prescribed by paragraph (8).

`(5)(A) An employer that has adopted a policy offering compensatory time off to employees may discontinue the policy for employees described in paragraph (3)(A)(ii) after providing 30 days' written notice to the employees who are subject to an agreement described in paragraph (3)(A)(ii).

`(B) An employee may withdraw an agreement described in paragraph (3)(A)(ii) at any time, by submitting a written notice of withdrawal to the employer of the employee . An employee may also request in writing that monetary compensation be provided, at any time, for all compensatory time off accrued that has not been used. Within 30 days after receiving the written request, the employer
shall provide the employee the monetary compensation due in accordance with paragraph (8).


`(6)(A)(i) An employer that provides compensatory time off under paragraph (2) to an employee shall not directly or indirectly intimidate, threaten, or coerce, or attempt to intimidate, threaten, or coerce, any employee for the purpose of--

`(I) interfering with the rights of the employee under this subsection to request or not request compensatory time off in lieu of payment of monetary overtime compensation for overtime hours;

`(II) interfering with the rights of the employee to use accrued compensatory time off in accordance with paragraph (9); or

`(III) requiring the employee to use the compensatory time off.

`(ii) In clause (i), the term `intimidate, threaten, or coerce' has the meaning given the term in section 13A(d)(2).

`(B) An agreement that is entered into by an employee and employer under paragraph (3)(A)(ii) shall permit the employee to elect, for an applicable workweek--

`(i) the payment of monetary overtime compensation for the workweek; or

`(ii) the accrual of compensatory time off in lieu of the payment of monetary overtime compensation for the workweek.'.

(b) REMEDIES AND SANCTIONS- Section 16 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 216) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(f)(1) In addition to any amount that an employer is liable under subsection (b) for a violation of a provision of section 7, an employer that violates section 7(r)(6)(A) shall be liable to the employee affected in an amount equal to--

`(A) the product of--

`(i) the rate of compensation (determined in accordance with section 7(r)(8)(A)); and

`(ii)(I) the number of hours of compensatory time off involved in the violation that was initially accrued by the employee ; minus

`(II) the number of such hours used by the employee ; and

`(B) as liquidated damages, the product of--

`(i) such rate of compensation; and

`(ii) the number of hours of compensatory time off involved in the violation that was initially accrued by the employee .

`(2) The employer shall be subject to such liability in addition to any other remedy available for such violation under this section or section 17, including a criminal penalty under subsection (a) and a civil penalty under subsection (e).'.

(c) CALCULATIONS AND SPECIAL RULES- Section 7(r) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 207(r)), as added by subsection (a), is further amended by adding at the end the following:

`(7) An employee who has accrued compensatory time off authorized to be provided under paragraph (2) shall, upon the voluntary or involuntary termination of employment, be paid for the unused compensatory time off in accordance with paragraph (8).

`(8)(A) If compensation is to be paid to an employee for accrued compensatory time off, the compensation shall be paid at a rate of compensation not less than--

`(i) the regular rate received by such employee when the compensatory time off was earned; or

`(ii) the final regular rate received by such employee ;

whichever is higher.

`(B) Any payment owed to an employee under this subsection for unused compensatory time off shall be considered unpaid monetary overtime compensation.

`(9) An employee --

`(A) who has accrued compensatory time off authorized to be provided under paragraph (2); and

`(B) who has requested the use of the accrued compensatory time off;

shall be permitted by the employer of the employee to use the accrued compensatory time off within a reasonable period after making the request if the use of the accrued compensatory time off does not unduly disrupt the operations of the employer.

`(10) The terms `monetary overtime compensation' and `compensatory time off' shall have the meanings given the terms `overtime compensation' and `compensatory time', respectively, by subsection (o)(7).'.

(d) NOTICE TO EMPLOYEES- Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall revise the materials the Secretary provides, under regulations contained in section 516.4 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, to employers for purposes of a notice explaining the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.) to employees so that the notice reflects the amendments made to the Act by this section.

SEC. 3. BIWEEKLY WORK PROGRAMS AND FLEXIBLE CREDIT HOUR PROGRAMS.

(a) IN GENERAL- The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 is amended by inserting after section 13 (29 U.S.C. 213) the following:

`SEC. 13A. BIWEEKLY WORK PROGRAMS AND FLEXIBLE CREDIT HOUR PROGRAMS.

`(a) VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION-

`(1) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in paragraph (2), no employee may be required to participate in a program described in this section. Participation in a program described in this section may not be a condition of employment.

`(2) COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT- In a case in which a valid collective bargaining agreement exists between an employer and the labor organization that has been certified or recognized as the representative of the employees of the employer under applicable law, an employee may only be required to participate in such a program in accordance with the agreement.

`(b) BIWEEKLY WORK PROGRAMS-

`(1) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding section 7, an employer may establish biweekly work programs that allow the use of a biweekly work schedule--

`(A) that consists of a basic work requirement of not more than 80 hours, over a 2-week period; and

`(B) in which more than 40 hours of the work requirement may occur in a week of the period, except that no more than 10 hours may be shifted between the 2 weeks involved.

`(2) CONDITIONS- An employer may carry out a biweekly work program described in paragraph (1) for employees only pursuant to the following:

`(A) AGREEMENT- The program may be carried out only in accordance with--

`(i) applicable provisions of a collective bargaining agreement between the employer and the labor organization that has been certified or recognized as the representative of the employees under applicable law; or

`(ii) in the case of an employee who is not represented by a labor organization described in clause (i), a written agreement arrived at between the employer and employee before the performance of the work involved if the agreement was entered into knowingly and voluntarily by such employee and was not a condition of employment.

`(B) STATEMENT- The program shall apply to an employee described in subparagraph (A)(ii) if such employee has affirmed, in a written statement that is made, kept, and preserved in accordance with section 11(c), that the employee has chosen to participate in the program.

`(C) MINIMUM SERVICE- No employee may participate, or agree to participate, in the program unless the employee has been employed for at least 12 months by the employer, and for at least 1,250 hours of service with the employer during the previous 12-month period.

`(3) COMPENSATION FOR HOURS IN SCHEDULE- Notwithstanding section 7, in the case of an employee participating in such a biweekly work program, the employee shall be compensated for each hour in such a biweekly work schedule at a rate not less than the regular rate at which the employee is employed.

`(4) COMPUTATION OF OVERTIME- All hours worked by the employee in excess of such a biweekly work schedule or in excess of 80 hours in the 2-week period, that are requested in advance by the employer, shall be overtime hours.

`(5) OVERTIME COMPENSATION PROVISION- The employee shall be compensated for each such overtime hour at a rate not less than one and one-half times the regular rate at which the employee is employed, in accordance with section 7(a)(1), or receive compensatory time off in accordance with section 7(r) for each such overtime hour.

`(6) DISCONTINUANCE OF PROGRAM OR WITHDRAWAL-

`(A) DISCONTINUANCE OF PROGRAM- An employer that has established a biweekly work program under paragraph (1) may discontinue the program for employees described in paragraph (2)(A)(ii) after providing 30 days' written notice to the employees who are subject to an agreement described in paragraph (2)(A)(ii).

`(B) WITHDRAWAL- An employee may withdraw an agreement described in paragraph (2)(A)(ii) at the end of any 2-week period described in paragraph (1)(A), by submitting a written notice of withdrawal to the employer of the employee .

`(c) FLEXIBLE CREDIT HOUR PROGRAMS-

`(1) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding section 7, an employer may establish flexible credit hour programs, under which, at the election of an employee , the employer and the employee jointly designate hours for the employee to work that are in excess of the basic work requirement of the employee so that the employee can accrue flexible credit hours to reduce the hours worked in a week or a day subsequent to the day on which the flexible credit hours are worked.

`(2) CONDITIONS- An employer may carry out a flexible credit hour program described in paragraph (1) for employees only pursuant to the following:

`(A) AGREEMENT- The program may be carried out only in accordance with--

`(i) applicable provisions of a collective bargaining agreement between the employer and the labor organization that has been certified or recognized as the representative of the employees under applicable law; or

`(ii) in the case of an employee who is not represented by a labor organization described in clause (i), a written agreement arrived at between the employer and employee before the performance of the work involved if the agreement was entered into knowingly and voluntarily by such employee and was not a condition of employment.

`(B) STATEMENT- The program shall apply to an employee described in subparagraph (A)(ii) if such employee has affirmed, in a written statement that is made, kept, and preserved in accordance with section 11(c), that the employee has chosen to participate in the program.

`(C) MINIMUM SERVICE- No employee may participate, or agree to participate, in the program unless the employee has been employed for at least 12 months by the employer, and for at least 1,250 hours of service with the employer during the previous 12-month period.

`(D) HOURS- An agreement that is entered into under subparagraph (A) shall provide that, at the election of an employee , the employer and the employee will jointly designate, for an applicable workweek, flexible credit hours for the employee to work.

`(E) LIMIT- An employee shall be eligible to accrue flexible credit hours if the employee has not accrued flexible credit hours in excess of the limit applicable to the employee prescribed by paragraph (3).

`(3) HOUR LIMIT-

`(A) MAXIMUM HOURS- An employee who is participating in such a flexible credit hour program may accrue not more than 50 flexible credit hours.

`(B) COMPENSATION DATE- Not later than January 31 of each calendar year, the employer of an employee who is participating in such a flexible credit hour program shall provide monetary compensation for any flexible credit hours accrued during the preceding calendar year that were not used prior to December 31 of the preceding calendar year at a rate not less than the regular rate at which the employee is employed on the date the employee receives the compensation. An employer may designate and communicate to the employees of the employer a 12-month period other than the calendar year, in which case the compensation shall be provided not later than 31 days after the end of the 12-month period.

`(4) COMPENSATION FOR FLEXIBLE CREDIT HOURS- Notwithstanding section 7, in the case of an employee participating in such a flexible credit hour program, the employee shall be compensated for each flexible credit hour at a rate not less than the regular rate at which the employee is employed.

`(5) COMPUTATION OF OVERTIME- All hours worked by the employee in excess of 40 hours in a week that are requested in advance by the employer, other than flexible credit hours, shall be overtime hours.

`(6) OVERTIME COMPENSATION PROVISION- The employee shall be compensated for each such overtime hour at a rate not less than one and one-half times the regular rate at which the employee is employed, in accordance with section 7(a)(1), or receive compensatory time off in accordance with section 7(r) for each such overtime hour.

`(7) USE OF TIME- An employee --

`(A) who has accrued flexible credit hours; and

`(B) who has requested the use of the accrued flexible credit hours,

shall be permitted by the employer of the employee to use the accrued flexible credit hours within a reasonable period after making the request if the use of the accrued flexible credit hours does not unduly disrupt the operations of the employer.

`(8) DISCONTINUANCE OF PROGRAM OR WITHDRAWAL-

`(A) DISCONTINUANCE OF PROGRAM- An employer that has established a flexible credit hour program under paragraph (1) may discontinue the program for employees described in paragraph (2)(A)(ii) after providing 30 days' written notice to the employees who are subject to an agreement described in paragraph (2)(A)(ii).

`(B) WITHDRAWAL- An employee may withdraw an agreement described in paragraph (2)(A)(ii) at any time, by submitting a written notice of withdrawal to the employer of the employee . An employee may also request in writing that monetary compensation be provided, at any time, for all flexible credit hours accrued that have not been used. Within 30 days after receiving the written request, the employer shall provide the employee the monetary compensation due at a rate not less than the regular rate at which the employee is employed on the date the employee receives the compensation.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush stabs the working folks -
From: Peace
Date: 03 Feb 04 - 10:31 AM

Anybody thinking about a general strike? Nation wide?

Subject: RE: BS: Bush stabs the working folks -
From: Bobert
Date: 03 Feb 04 - 11:15 AM

I've been thinking about it for some time, brucie. Timing is everything but too many Americans still have their blinders on. And Bush's handlers and PR folks are doing a very good job balancing so many lies and screw ups and may very well "run out the clock" for the '04 election but...

... eventually karma will find its way to the surface and then it will not bring on massive strikes but civil disobedience like hasn't been seen since the 60's!! Ahhh, not mention *real* empeachment movement fir *real* offenses against the world and the American people...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Bush stabs the working folks -
From: Peace
Date: 03 Feb 04 - 02:59 PM

In an un-named country in an un-named province, nurses' negotiaoions had 'stalled'. The election was looming--only five days off. The head negotiator of the nurses was asked to meet with government. Government said, "Help use settle this and we will be nice to you after the election. The nurses' negotiator said, "Settle now, or we walk on Saturday at midnight." The government settled. Timing is not just important, it is indeed everything.

Bruce M

Subject: RE: BS: Bush stabs the working folks -
From: Rapparee
Date: 03 Feb 04 - 05:06 PM

I think what is shown is contempt for the American worker, who really DID built this country with their shoulders and their backs.

Instead of overtime, why not hire more workers? Yes, yes, I know ALL about benefits and such and the costs involved -- why not hire more workers? And why can't the bosses get by on a bit less (said a boss)?

If/When the proletrait awakens, there might be bloodshed this time.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush stabs the working folks -
From: Donuel
Date: 03 Feb 04 - 05:15 PM

They already hire part timers so they will not qualify for benefits.

The bi weekly computation and not asking for additional hours in advance is a great way for employers to never have to pay overtime.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush stabs the working folks -
From: Kim C
Date: 03 Feb 04 - 05:18 PM

Ummmmmm, can someone translate all that into plain English please?

Subject: RE: BS: Bush stabs the working folks -
From: Amergin
Date: 03 Feb 04 - 05:19 PM

part timers and temp workers...

Subject: RE: BS: Bush stabs the working folks -
From: Bobert
Date: 03 Feb 04 - 06:40 PM

Well, Kim C, maybe you can sneak in on the next Department of *Labor* symposium for corporations on just what loopholes exist to screw the workers out of their fair shares...

Your tax bucks at work...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Bush stabs the working folks -
From: Peace
Date: 03 Feb 04 - 07:31 PM

Grease the area and force the worker to bend over to pick up a quarter. Then, . . . .

Subject: RE: BS: Bush stabs the working folks -
From: Greg F.
Date: 03 Feb 04 - 10:45 PM

No point signing a petition.

Much better approach would be to get a gang of drunken, brain-dead ex-Marines to harrass & threaten the Prez- preferably anonymously by e-mail or other electronic means.

Usually works wonders, don't it, Steve?