NACS Calls on Industry to Help Set Back New Overtime Rules

WASHINGTON, D.C. — NACS, the Association for Convenience & Fuel Retailing, is urging members of the convenience store industry to support legislation that would roll back new overtime guidelines from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).

The Protecting American Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act, introduced by Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) as S. 2707, and by Representatives Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) and John Kline (R-Minn.) as H.R. 4773, would direct the DOL to go back to the drawing board with its overtime proposal, according to NACS.

The DOL recently took the last step in the regulatory process before it can issue a new final rule regarding overtime pay.

Its current draft proposal would more than double the salary threshold, or the salary level under which an employee is paid for overtime when they work more than 40 hours in one week.

In July 2015, the Obama administration proposed a change to the current rules, which allow employers to call any salaried employee who's paid more than $455 a week — or $23,660 a year — a "manager," given limited supervisory duties and made ineligible for overtime, as CSNews Online previously reported. The new overtime rule would set the threshold at $970 a week, or $50,440 a year.

Critics of the change say it is a flawed proposal that "undermines the flexibility, workplace autonomy and growth opportunities currently offered by retailers," said Kelly Kolb, vice president, government affairs, for the Retail Industry Leaders Association.

However, supporters such as Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) believe the rule would restore "a fair day's pay for a fair day's work."

NACS is urging its members to contact their senators and representatives and ask them to support the new legislation. A pre-drafted, editable letter is available by clicking here.