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What I've Been Reading This Week


One of the more interesting developments I came across this week was a development late yesterday in regard to the overtime rule and the most recent attempt by Democrats to get this back on track.  The "Restoring Overtime Pay Act" was announced yesterday by Democrats in an attempt to codify the original overtime rule proposed during President Barack Obama's administration.  While this is likely nothing short of a hope and a dream for the time being, as explained below, it has brought the overtime rule topic back into the forefront.

As always, below are a couple articles that caught my eye this week.


Restoring Overtime Pay Act Attempts to Codify Obama Administration's Overtime Rule

Yesterday, Senators Sherrod Brown and Patty Murray (joined by Representatives Bobby Scott and Mark Takano) introduced legislation which seeks to codify the Obama Administration's proposed overtime rule which has stalled out in the courts.  The Restoring Overtime Pay Act would increase the overtime salary level from $23,660/year to $48,412/year and subsequently make at least 4 million new workers eligible for overtime pay.  This legislation, introduced and supported by Democrats, likely will not get very far as Republicans control Congress (and therefore can decide what bills head to committee, make it to a floor vote, etc.)  Until Democrats can get control of at least one part of Congress and get this bill into committee for debate and hearings (the first step a piece of legislation takes on the way to becoming law), I would not hold out much hope that this Act will get very far...unless Democrats can peal away a few Republican votes that is.


Wage Theft on the Rise For Day Laborers in Houston During Post-Harvey Work

While likely inevitable after any natural disaster, there is a report out that wage theft is on the rise among day laborers in Houston after Hurricane Harvey hit the area.  After the storm, there became (and still remains) a need for numerous day laborers to assist with projects throughout the city and Gulf Coast region.  With the increase of day laborers also came many "predatory" employers/contractors who have sought to take advantage of these workers by failing to pay them fully or even pay them at all for their work.  As the report indicates, unpaid wages range from $212 to $2,700 among 361 day laborers surveyed in Houston.  While reports will be filed and complaints will be made with the State, I would expect that many (if not most) of these day laborers unfortunately will likely never see these wages actually paid...A sad testament to the scrupulous nature of some in the employment context who use a natural disaster to take advantage of workers.



Late last month, it was announced that the hourly minimum wage rate in Missouri will rise to $7.85/hour beginning January 1, 2018, up from its current rate of $7.70/hour.  As The Associated Press writes, it is interesting to note that tipped employees will also be paid at least $7.85/hour.  Employers will be required to pay these tipped employees at least half that $7.85/hour amount and make up any difference if employees do not make at least that much in tips.

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