Overtime Overhaul

THE U-S LABOR DEPARTMENT WANTS TO MAKE THINGS A BIT MORE FAIR. SO, IT IS DOUBLING THE THRESHOLD WHERE SALARY WORKERS CAN EARN OVERTIME PAY... WHEN THEY WORK MORE THAN -40- HOURS. THAT IS EXPECTED TO AFFECT MORE THAN -4- MILLION AMERICAN WORKERS. UNTIL NOW, A SALARIED WORKER WAS ELIGIBLE TO EARN OVERTIME -- IF THEY WORKED MORE THAN -40- HOURS A WEEK -- AS LONG AS THEY EARNED ABOUT 23-THOUSAND DOLLARS OR LESS. THAT IS NOW 47-THOUSAND- 500. THE LABOR SECRETARY EXPLAINS THE CHANGE. THOMAS PEREZ - LABOR SECRETARY: "WE HAVE A SITUATION WHERE YOU CAN WORK 70 HOURS A WEEK AND LITERALLY MAKE THE POVERTY WAGE OF 24 THOUSAND DOLLARS WHICH IS THE CURRENT THRESHOLD. THAT ISN'T RIGHT." VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN TOUTED THE NEW RULE AT THE HEADQUARTERS OF AN ICE CREAM CHAIN SAYING IT'S GOOD BUSINESS... AND THE RIGHT THING TO DO. THE NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION PREDICTS MANY EMPLOYERS WILL CUT THEIR EMPLOYEES OFF