ASSOCIATED PRESS
Retreating under pressure, the Bush administration intends to revise a proposed overtime regulation to preserve eligibility for most white-collar workers making up to $100,000 a year as well as for police, firefighters and other first responders, Republican officials said yesterday.
The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said revisions also would guarantee overtime for lower-wage workers making less than $23,660 a year, up from the $22,100 initially proposed.
Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao is expected to preview the new proposals today, the sources said. A spokeswoman for the department said she was unaware of any plans to issue a regulation.
Mrs. Chao issued a proposed regulation in March 2003, but it drew sustained criticism from organized labor, Democrats in Congress and some Republicans.
The Senate voted last year to stop the administration from issuing the regulation, but that provision was dropped under White House pressure. Even so, Democrats signaled a fresh attempt this year — in the run-up to the November elections — at a time when jobs and pocketbook issues are a key issue in the campaign for the White House.
Republican officials said that under the revisions, up to 107,000 workers could lose their overtime protection, but 6.7 million workers would be guaranteed overtime.
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