The Labor Department says its proposal could affect as many as 22 million workers. More than 1 million low-wage workers would newly become eligible for overtime pay, or would receive a salary hike. About 640,000 professional workers would lose their overtime pay.
A union-funded study found that 8 million workers would lose their overtime pay. Opponents say those employees will be required to work longer hours without extra pay if the proposal is adopted. That's because overtime pay acts as a protection to the 40-hour work week, and employers don't want to pay that price to get more work, they say.
"Our citizens are working longer hours than ever before - longer than any other industrial nation," according to a letter sent to Chao by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., and signed by 42 Senate Democrats.
"At least one in five employees now has a work week that exceeds 50 hours. Protecting the 40-hour work week is vital to balancing work responsibilities and family needs. It is certainly not family friendly to require employees to work more hours for less pay."
So why not extend overtime to the 1 million low wage workers, and leave the rest of the rules in place?
Bush says: "Family values." Bush does: "A longer work week, so you have less time with your family."