LEGISLATIVE ADVISORY

U.S. House Passes Comp Time Bill Undermining Overtime Pay

The Working Families Flexibility Act of 2013 also known as comp time legislation, passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 223 to 204 mostly along party lines on May 8, 2013. We thank all members of the New Jersey House delegation who voted against this anti-worker bill and are proud that of the eight Republicans throughout the nation who opposed this bill, three were from New Jersey. While this bill is unlikely to gain traction in the Senate and the President has promised to veto the legislation, it is alarming that such a bill could be passed by the House. This deceptively named legislation takes a significant step backwards for employees because it dilutes their ability to earn overtime pay while also undermining the 40-hour work week. This legislation provides employers with a financial incentive to establish a comp time system that shortchanges workers both financially and logistically in regard to work-week hours and scheduling. Under this bill, the benefit of flexibility would be granted only to employers at the cost of employees. Please find a vote breakdown for New Jerseys House delegation below: New Jersey House Delegation vote on H.R. 1406 RIGHT Rob Andrews (D-01) RIGHT Frank LoBiondo (R02)

RIGHT Jon Runyan (R-03) RIGHT Chris Smith (R-04) WRONG Scott Garrett (R-05) RIGHT Frank Pallone, Jr. (D06) WRONG Leonard Lance (R-07) RIGHT Albio Sires (D-08) RIGHT Bill Pascrell (D-09) RIGHT Donald Payne, Jr. (D10) WRONG Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11) RIGHT Rush Holt (D-12)