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Back to To the Point

To the Point

Will Obama's New Overtime Rules Backfire on Workers?

Four million American workers may now be entitled to something they've never had before: pay for overtime if they make less than $47,500 a year. The previous cut-off was $23,660. Labor Secretary Secretary Tom Perez endorsed the new rule, saying "middle class jobs deserve middle class pay.

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By Warren Olney • May 18, 2016 • 6m Listen

Four million American workers may now be entitled to something they've never had before: pay for overtime if they make less than $47,500 a year. The previous cut-off was $23,660. Labor Secretary Secretary Tom Perez endorsed the new rule, saying "middle class jobs deserve middle class pay. And that when you work extra you should get paid extra, that's what this is about, it's very simple but very bedrock."

But the new rule may well have unintended consequences, economically — and politically, as we hear from Noam Schieber, a labor reporter for the New York Times.

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    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

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    Katie Cooper

    Producer, 'One year Later'

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    Evan George

    Director of Content, News

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    Paul von Zielbauer

    Producer, 'To the Point'

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    Noam Scheiber

    New York Times

    NewsNationalPolitics
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