Postdocs and the US Department of Labor Proposed Changes in Overtime Regulations

[Vincent Chan]

Hi Postdocs,

Please see the email below regarding information on the US Department of
Labor (DOL)'s proposed overtime regulation and how it could affect
postdocs. The letter also lists a number of things to do to raise awareness
among postdocs and how to let the DOL know of your thoughts of the proposal.

The information and views expressed below are from a group of postdocs
(contact: uspostdocs at gmail.com) and are not associated with the MIT
administration. The National Postdoc Association has also issued a
statement of their stance on the issue here
<https://npamembers.site-ym.com/news/248332/NPA-Issues-Statement-In-Response-to-Changes-to-Overtime-Regulations.htm>
.

- Vincent


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: U.S. Postdocs <uspostdocs at yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, Aug 28, 2015 at 8:24 PM
Subject: Postdocs united for overtime pay regulation. You can help too!


Dear Fellow postdocs, scientists and all supporters,

We all know that postdocs are extremely underpaid and overworked. A
recently proposed regulation by the US Department of Labor may change that
soon. We’re trying to push for that regulation, and there are things you
can also do to help! Read the message below.

As you may know, there is a new federal regulation proposed by the Obama
administration that would mandate that employees in the US making less than
$USD 50,440.00 per year be paid for overtime work. Whether the Department
of Labor will apply this regulation to postdoctoral researchers is still
unclear and a matter of debate. If it does, the regulation would result in
postdocs being paid for overtime work OR in an increase of the minimum
postdoc salary to USD$ 50,440.

This regulation will greatly benefit the postdoc community. However, in
order to ensure the regulation, we need YOUR help. Here’s how you can help
us NOW. It will take you just a few minutes from your own computer:

*1. Sign the petition letter *to the Department of Labor written by
representatives of US postdoctoral associations. This letter will also
provide you with detailed information about the regulation.

*a)* Visit the website and read the petition letter to the Department of
Labor:
http://uspostdocs.wix.com/overtimepay
- Click on the “LETTER” button in the top menu.

*b) *Sign the petition letter by following this link:
https://www.change.org/p/united-states-department-of-labor-postdocs-in-support-of-department-of-labor-overtime-pay-regulation

<https://www.change.org/p/united-states-department-of-labor-postdocs-in-support-of-department-of-labor-overtime-pay-regulation>
*c) *Alternatively, you can sign the petition by sending us an email to
uspostdocs at gmail.com with the header “I sign the letter for postdoc
overtime pay”, and your name and current professional position/affiliation
in the message body.

*2. Help us spread the word and become viral!*

*a) *Send this message by email or other means to all US postdocs that you
know, as well as everyone in your contacts that could support us too.

*b) *Visit the Facebook page, like it and share it through your Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/postdocsovertimepay

<https://www.facebook.com/postdocsovertimepay>
             *c) *Send the website link to everyone you know.
http://uspostdocs.wix.com/overtimepay


*3. Write a comment on the Department of Labor website dedicated to the
general public. Here are the steps:*

              *a) *Go to the website shown below.
http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=WHD-2015-0001-0001

<http://www.regulations.gov/#%21documentDetail;D=WHD-2015-0001-0001>
              *b) *Click on the “Comment Now!” blue button on the upper
right.

              *c) *Write your comment and fill out your personal details

Comments will be accepted from the general public until September 4th before
a final decision is made as to whether or not to implement this proposed
regulation. Ideally, your comment should state the following:
-         Your status as a US postdoctoral researcher or another science or
non-science employee.
-        Your position in favor of the Department of Labor regulation
regarding overtime pay
-         Your position supporting the need to include postdoctoral
researchers in the regulation.
-          Optional: Reasons why the regulation is appropriate,
particularly for postdocs.

 Below, find a sample comment written and edited by postdoc representatives
that you can use as inspiration for your own comment if you wish:

*SAMPLE COMMENT FOR DEPARTMENT OF LABOR WEBSITE*
As a postdoctoral researcher, I fully support the proposed regulation for
overtime pay to employees earning below $50,440, and I request that this
regulation apply to all postdoctoral researchers and other employees in
science and academia just like it will apply to every other US employee.

Postdoctoral researchers produce a large percentage of the total biomedical
science output in the US. These scientific discoveries are critical for the
advancement of knowledge and medicine that improve the health conditions
and well-being of citizens in the US and around the world.

Despite the unanimous agreement about the importance of scientists’ work,
our salaries are much lower (on average about half or less) than those of
workers in industry requiring a comparable level of education (PhD level
and above). In addition, the nature of scientific work requires many
postdoctoral researchers to work overtime. However, we receive no
compensation for this extra work.

Due to the above working conditions, many postdoctoral researchers are
discouraged from continuing with their scientific careers, and are leaving
science to take alternative career paths. This includes even the most
talented researchers, who would be in a position to make the best
contributions to science. Over time this has reduced the quality of
biomedical research in the US and now jeopardizes the long-held position
and reputation of the US as the world’s leader of scientific advancement.
We can help to avoid this decline by improving working conditions and
salaries of postdocs. This regulation represents a step towards such goal.


Sincerely,
US Postdocs United for Overtime Pay Regulation
uspostdocs at gmail.com
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