Statement by Edward J. McElroy,
Secretary-Treasurer of the American Federation of Teachers,
on the Bush Administration’s Proposed Changes to Fair Labor Standards Act

Washington, D.C. – Though the Bush administration is attempting to pass off last-minute tinkering as meaningful changes to its final overtime proposal, that proposal still cuts millions of workers’ pay by denying them overtime compensation.  Instead of helping the millions of Americans who are looking for jobs, this administration has given employers another reason not to hire new employees and instead forces current workers to work overtime for free.

Our nation’s strong work ethic is based on the principle that a person’s earning potential should not be restricted by anything but their own willingness for hard work.  The President’s proposal contradicts this and the original intent of the Fair Labor Standards Act, which was to discourage employers from forcing any worker -- no matter how much or how little they earned -- to labor inhumanely long hours.

President Bush’s proposed changes are particularly disturbing for healthcare professionals and the patients for whom they care.   Research shows a clear link between excessive overtime and an increased number of medical errors.  With overtime pay eliminated, hospitals and other healthcare providers have little incentive to end mandatory overtime and hire more staff to ensure safe staffing levels and improve the quality of patient care.  Since the initial proposal was released, the Bush Administration has consistently understated and misrepresented the true impact of this rule.

At a time when Americans are facing lower wages, double-digit increases in healthcare costs and job insecurity, we need a President who will protect workers’ rights and their economic well-being, rather than shortchange them.  We are deeply disappointed that this administration believes it is appropriate to strip any worker of the right to overtime protections.

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The AFT represents more than 1.3 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, paraprofessionals and other school support employees, higher education faculty, nurses and other healthcare workers, and state and local government employees.