WORKPLACE Labor Dept. clarifies new OT rules

YOUNGSTOWN -- New overtime regulations, which take effect Monday, target white-collar salary workers -- not hourly workers, the U.S. Labor Department said.
The new rules affect executives, administrators, professionals, computer-related occupations, outside sales and so forth. They do not affect blue-collar workers or workers covered by collective bargaining agreements.
Police officers, detectives, deputy sheriffs, state troopers, correctional officers, parole or probation officers, park rangers, firefighters, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, ambulance personnel, rescue workers, hazardous materials workers and similar employees ("first responders") are protected by the minimum wage and overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Also, under the new FairPay rules, workers earning less than $23,660 per year are guaranteed overtime protection. This will strengthen overtime rights for 6.7 million American workers, including 1.3 million low-wage workers who were denied overtime under the old rules, the Labor Department said.
Information about the new rules is available at the Department of Labor Web site: www.dol.gov.