Labor criticizes Bush policies« Thread Started on May 22, 2004, 11:52pm »--------------------------------------------------------------------------------From The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 1/5/04:http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/News/St.+Louis+City+%2F+County/88D2F6BBD7F9F73386256E12006B799A?OpenDocument&Headline=Labor+criticizes+Bush+policiesLabor criticizes Bush policiesBy DOUG MOORE Post-DispatchBillboards criticizing a plan to revamp federal law regarding overtimepay have been put alongside the route President George W. Bush isexpected to take this afternoon when he visits St. Louis.The Greater St. Louis Labor Council had one sign placed on Interstate70 near the Interstate 270 exchange, and another on I-70, near theMcKinley Bridge, just north of downtown.A third billboard was put up on Interstate 55 in south St. LouisCounty.At a press conference at City Hall this morning, Bob Soutier,secretary-treasurer of the Greater St. Louis Labor Council, said up to8 million workers would lose their overtime."We cannot turn a blind eye toward the Bush administration while theyturn back the clock on wages and benefit protections for Americanworkers," Soutier said."When the Bush motorcade goes by our billboards today, I hope all onboard think long and hard about the question we ask: 'Why, Mr.President?'"The billboards declare:"The Bush Agenda - Millions to Lose Overtime Pay. Why, Mr. President?"The signs are referring to a Labor Department plan to change federallaws governing overtime.The proposal would increase the number of lower- income workers whowould qualify for overtime pay after working 40 hours a week but barthe extra pay for most white- collar workers who earn more than$65,000 a year.The Bush administration says the changes would make overtime availablefor about 1.3 million lower-paid workers who now don't get it andeliminate overtime for roughly 640,000 workers who now do receive it.The national AFL-CIO is pressuring Congress to block the proposedchanges to federal labor laws.The House has gone along with the administration's proposal, while theSenate is slated to vote later this month.Bush is expected to visit Laclede Elementary in north St. Louis about2 p.m. to talk about the No Child Left Behind law, which holds schoolsaccountable for improving test scores and provides stiff penalties forschools that fall short.Laclede has some of the highest test scores in the state.Later, Bush will head to America's Center for a fund-raiser.Labor groups are expected to protest outside the downtown conventioncenter beginning at 5 p.m.