Reed Backs White House Plan to Restore Fairness to Overtime Pay Rules

Press Release

U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today hailed a proposal by President Obama to strengthen overtime protections for millions of middle-class American workers. The regulations would take effect in 2016, and raise the salary threshold below which workers automatically qualify for time-and-a-half overtime wages from $23,660 to $50,440 a year.

According to the White House, this proposed change in overtime pay eligibly could impact 10,000 workers in Rhode Island.

"This workable plan to effectively bring back overtime pay for middle-class earners is long overdue. Over the years, overtime pay has eroded, failing millions of workers. A hard day's work should earn a fair day's pay, and updating the overtime threshold means more employees will be treated fairly and have opportunities to advance their careers," said Senator Reed. "This sensible plan could help improve the economic standing for 10,000 Rhode Island families, and will ensure the middle-class, and those working to join the middle-class, are not left behind as the U.S. economy continues to recover."

Earlier this year, Reed and 25 fellow U.S. Senators sent President Obama a letter urging the White House to raise the threshold to expand overtime eligibility for American workers. "Too many Americans are working longer and harder without anything to show for their efforts in their paychecks," the senators wrote. "These long hours are straining middle-class workers and their families. Since the 1970s, average salaries for middle-class individuals have dropped even while salaried workers have increased the hours they spend on the job. Strengthening overtime protections will help millions of middle-class families."

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