Press Releases

Today at a Subcommittee on Workforce Protections hearing on overtime protections, Ranking Democrat Rep. Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) described the Department of Labor's proposed rule to update federal regulations that determine who is eligible for overtime pay as an issue of basic fairness.

"Overtime pay was established to protect workers from the excessive hours that endanger their health and well-being, prevent them from spending time with their families, and all but prohibit them from taking the necessary time to recover from the stresses of work," said Rep. Wilson in her opening statement. "Unfortunately, the failure to update the overtime salary threshold to reflect the economic realities of today has seriously eroded FLSA's protection against excessive hours and its implicit promise of a fair day's pay for a fair day's work. Forty years ago, nearly two-thirds of the workforce was eligible for overtime protections. Today, only 8 percent of workers are eligible for overtime protections. We cannot possibly argue that these current working conditions for millions of Americans are fair."

The Labor Department's proposed rule would increase the annual salary threshold for workers who are eligible for overtime from $23,660 to $50,440. This week Rep. Wilson, along with more than 100 House members and 30 senators, sent a letter to President Obama offering their support for the proposed rule, which the Labor Department estimates would expand overtime protections for five million workers, or 40 percent of American salaried employees. The rule also ensures that the salary threshold automatically increases to keep pace with future shifts in average earnings.

"These strengthened overtime protections would mean so much in the daily lives of millions of Americans. This overtime rule would allow more parents to be involved in their children's lives; something we know is absolutely critical for the development and betterment of our children," added Rep. Wilson. "This overtime rule would encourage employers to hire more workers, instead of overworking a few, meaning more jobs for more Americans. The overtime rule would give part-time workers access to more hours that would help them earn more money."

Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson is a third-term Congresswoman from Florida representing parts of Northern Miami-Dade and Southeast Broward counties. A former state legislator and school principal, she is the founder of the 5000 Role Models for Excellence Project, a mentoring program for young males at risk of dropping out of school. Congresswoman Wilson also founded the Florida Ports Caucus, a bipartisan taskforce that coordinates federal action in support of Florida's harbors and waterways.