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Congress Returns: Overtime Pay Fight Needs Action
Congress must act in July to stop the Bush overtime pay take-away. Effective Aug. 23, employers may begin to reclassify their employees as exempt—denying them the right to overtime pay. That is why action right now is so important. Please personalize the letter below with your own words, concerns or story.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Stop Bush's Overtime Pay Take-Away
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
I am very concerned about the Bush overtime pay take-away that will go into effect on Aug. 23. Families like mine rely on every bit of our paychecks to take care of the everyday needs we have.
Not a single worker should lose their right to overtime pay. This would be a disaster for the families who depend on that income.
I urge you to support all efforts to block the Bush overtime pay take-away before it becomes law. There might not be a way to undo the damage done by an overtime pay take-away. Congress must act now before it is too late.
This is one of the issues I will use to judge your commitment to working families. I await your reply.
Sincerely,
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Campaign Launched:
July 22, 2004
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The U.S. House and Senate reconvened July 6 for the last three-week session before the Bush overtime pay take-away goes into effect on Aug. 23.
After more than a year of lobbying with letters, faxes, e-mails and phone calls it comes down to this: will we be able to put enough pressure on senators and members of Congress during July to make them block the overtime pay take-away? The answer is up to us. If we act together we could make a difference.
Please take one minute right now to send a free fax to your members of Congress and senators.
Tell them to act to block Bush's overtime pay take-away. Potentially millions of America's workers—earning as little as $23,600 a year—will lose much needed income they use to take care of everyday needs like health care, housing costs and even food.
The final regulation that would take away overtime pay from millions of America's workers was issued by the Bush administration in April. Effective Aug. 23, employers may begin to reclassify their employees as exempt-denying them the right to overtime pay. That is why action right now is so important.
Even if you have acted before we need your help right now.
Here is a timeline of the upcoming fight to save overtime pay.
July 6-23: The U.S. House and Senate will meet to deliberate on several issues. During these deliberations there will be votes on the Bush overtime pay take-away. Please stay alert for the exact dates.
Mid-July: Economic Policy Institute will release final analysis of new overtime pay regulations-predicting how many workers will lose their right to overtime pay effective Aug. 23.
July 23: U.S. House and Senate recess until September.
Aug. 23: Bush overtime pay take-away goes into effect. Employers may begin reclassifying employees as exempt.
Please act before it is too late. Thank you.
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