As the House prepared to vote on a bill that would allow employers in the private
sector to offer compensatory time off in lieu of overtime pay, labor unions
stepped up their opposition to the legislation, the Associated Press reports.
The measure is up for a vote today (Update: Republicans pulled the legislation from the House schedule because it did not have enough votes for passage, the AP reports).For a Limited Time receive a
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Get Your Report Now!''Labor unions are working this very, very hard,'' Representative Jack Quinn,
R-N.Y., told the news agency. ''It's a core issue for them, just like collective
bargaining, like minimum wage.''
The labor unions have been able to get the support of about a dozen moderate
Republicans, including Quinn, the news agency notes.
Supporters of the bill say they have been able to secure the support of some
Democrats, including Charlie Stenholm of Texas.
Opponents of the Family Time Flexibility Act say that if it were passed, it
would mean workers would be working longer hours for less pay.
The news agency notes that similar legislation has passed the House before.
Unions appear more concerned about current bill because Republicans now control
both the Senate and the White House, according to the AP.
The Family Time Flexibility Act would allow employers to offer nonexempt employees
who work over 40 hours the choice between overtime pay and paid time off at
an hourly rate of 1 ½.
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