Union Activism = Overtime Pay Win

Responding to a deluge of phone calls, letters, faxes and e-mails, the U.S. Senate handed President George W. Bush a stinging defeat May 4 when it approved a measure to put overtime pay guarantees in writing, not just in Bush administration press releases.

This does not mean we have stopped the overtime pay take-away set to go into effect Aug. 23, but it is an important step forward. You made the difference with your activism on this issue. You are great. Thank you.

The 52-47 vote came after an intense Bush administration spin operation that tried to paint the rule changes as an expansion of overtime eligibility--instead of as a pay cut. However, early analysis shows many workers would lose their right to overtime pay under the Bush rule changes. Senate Democrats, and five Republican senators, found your concerns more compelling than the Bush administration spin.

The fight isn't over yet. The overtime pay take-away is still scheduled to go into effect Aug. 23. The U.S. House of Representatives still must vote on the measure before President Bush is forced to either sign it or veto the legislation.

Although we've won in the Senate and House in the past, it is clear today that the best way to save overtime pay is at the ballot box this November. George W. Bush and his administration have an agenda that does not reflect the priorities of working Americans or protect our jobs and paychecks.

Over the past year, members of this network have done a lot to protect overtime pay. We won't ask you to do something specific today, but here is what we'll need you to watch for in the future.

1. Look for important alerts about how you can get active on overtime pay leading up to the election.
2. Talk about the Bush overtime pay take-away with your friends, family and co-workers.
3. Look for action alert e-mails so you can help convince the House to protect overtime pay.

The bottom line: Get ready for the coming fight. Together we can win.

P.S. Here are some links that may interest you.

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