I've done more reading on the FLSA issue, namely the Economic Policy Institute's Briefing Paper "Eliminating the Right to Overtime Pay", and I've also begun talking with friends about underlying and otherwise similar issues. I still find it fascinating that I cannot easily find direct documentation of the proposed changes on either the White House web site or the Department of Labor's. This underscores for me the evident motivation behind these kinds of policy changes.
Here's a basic outline of the changes that are described and analyzed in greater detail in the EPI's briefing:
The current weekly salary level under which all employees are guaranteed overtime pay is $155 a week. The proposed changes would raise this to $425 a week. This seems like the only unambiguously positive change in the proposal. With this proposed change, more low wage workers will have the right to overtime pay. The report points out, however, that the proposed change is "not indexed for inflation" and so "will protect fewer and fewer workers over time." This is a reality that is constantly troubling in most economic policies that I have ever learned anything about which affect the quality of living and the statndards for income levels in the US. The minimum wage is a perfect example of policy that is both out dated and totally out of touch with the realities of current economic rates--evidenced by many institutions' and states' adopting living wage policies.
I've got to go see more of NYC now, so I'll have to write more on this later. . .is anybody out there. . .breathing?
Saturday, July 05, 2003
Wednesday, July 02, 2003
Overtime Pay
First, take a look at the double speak from the official White House web-site.
Can someone please explain what this statement, or the proposed act means? Stock options, overtime calculations. . .? What the. . .? I couldn't find anything on the White House web site that was more directly related to the "Family-Time Flexibility Act."
Next, there has been slow, limited coverage of the government's move to revise the FLSA rules on overtime pay. Here's an AlterNet article on the "Family-Time Flexibility Act."
One study shows that these changes could eliminate overtime pay for nearly 8 million workers. The Economic Policy Institute reports that the "Department of Labor proposal means lower pay, longer hours for millions of workers." So, is this an integral part of the President's plan to put and leave more of the American worker's hard earned money in his own pocket? Notice how the majority of news on this issue came out a couple of days after the Departmen of Labor's 90-day public comment period which ended Monday, June 30, 2003.
This policy is so obviously geared toward protecting Bush's bottom line--corporate America's bottom line--profits. A nice smelly crock for us all to steep.
Can someone please explain what this statement, or the proposed act means? Stock options, overtime calculations. . .? What the. . .? I couldn't find anything on the White House web site that was more directly related to the "Family-Time Flexibility Act."
Next, there has been slow, limited coverage of the government's move to revise the FLSA rules on overtime pay. Here's an AlterNet article on the "Family-Time Flexibility Act."
One study shows that these changes could eliminate overtime pay for nearly 8 million workers. The Economic Policy Institute reports that the "Department of Labor proposal means lower pay, longer hours for millions of workers." So, is this an integral part of the President's plan to put and leave more of the American worker's hard earned money in his own pocket? Notice how the majority of news on this issue came out a couple of days after the Departmen of Labor's 90-day public comment period which ended Monday, June 30, 2003.
This policy is so obviously geared toward protecting Bush's bottom line--corporate America's bottom line--profits. A nice smelly crock for us all to steep.
the (anti) ad continues?
I can't help it, I live in the world of the end user. . .
Google has a new beta of their browser companion bar out. It's got like a million new tools/buttons. My favorites so far:
- Pop-Up blocker. It's quickly toggled on and off and you can Ctrl-click on a link that promps a pop-up so you can allow just that one and add it to a list of allowed pop-ups.
- Previous and next search result buttons. Do a google search, follow a result link and never return to the results page for the next or previous result. Just click the appropriate button on the Google companion
- AND more appropriate for this medium--Blogger button. Click to create a blog post pointing to the current web page! Snazzy!
Google has a new beta of their browser companion bar out. It's got like a million new tools/buttons. My favorites so far:
- Pop-Up blocker. It's quickly toggled on and off and you can Ctrl-click on a link that promps a pop-up so you can allow just that one and add it to a list of allowed pop-ups.
- Previous and next search result buttons. Do a google search, follow a result link and never return to the results page for the next or previous result. Just click the appropriate button on the Google companion
- AND more appropriate for this medium--Blogger button. Click to create a blog post pointing to the current web page! Snazzy!
Monday, June 30, 2003
Status of blogbuoy
Alright, I've scoured the web looking for a way to allow users to respond to blogbuoy. I've found several possible solutions and will be testing them out soon. Meanwhile, if you have any comments, questions or suggestions, email me at blogbuoy@webbuoy.net.
Soon enough, I will loosen up, quit the business talk, and get on with the literofunk. 'till then. . .tata!
Soon enough, I will loosen up, quit the business talk, and get on with the literofunk. 'till then. . .tata!
Groovin'
Alright, for starters, if you're not listening to 3wk yet, you must start now! These folks have it all right as far as I'm concerned. Free underground internet radio--modern and classic. You can pay for a Hi-Fi signal if you want, but the lo-fi isn't too bad.
I've picked up so many new bands and titles--old and new--on the constant stream from 3wk! My favorite memory of listening to 3wk is a recurring one--ah the memories. . .(note to self, start a discussion on recurring dreams--I've got some doozies!). . .listening to the classic underground half, sort of passively, and hearing someone just ripping on vocals. I thought to myself, "Man, that sounds like Jeff Buckley. I wonder who it is." So, I click over to the player and there it is--Tim Buckley, Gypsy Woman!. Now I have heard of Jeff's dad before and have even downloaded the occasional MP3, but I had never heard anything like this. I resisted the urge to go home, turn off the lights and dive into my depression listening to Grace and, instead, linked to Insound where I bought my first Tim Buckley CD.
That's all for now. Sorry if this came out like an ad for 3wk. I just couldn't help myself.
I've picked up so many new bands and titles--old and new--on the constant stream from 3wk! My favorite memory of listening to 3wk is a recurring one--ah the memories. . .(note to self, start a discussion on recurring dreams--I've got some doozies!). . .listening to the classic underground half, sort of passively, and hearing someone just ripping on vocals. I thought to myself, "Man, that sounds like Jeff Buckley. I wonder who it is." So, I click over to the player and there it is--Tim Buckley, Gypsy Woman!. Now I have heard of Jeff's dad before and have even downloaded the occasional MP3, but I had never heard anything like this. I resisted the urge to go home, turn off the lights and dive into my depression listening to Grace and, instead, linked to Insound where I bought my first Tim Buckley CD.
That's all for now. Sorry if this came out like an ad for 3wk. I just couldn't help myself.
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