Yesterday the White House and Department of Labor announced a HUGE VICTORY for workers and it is all because of you!!! [1] The rules for overtime pay were changed so now 12.5 million more workers, including 6.4 million women, many of whom are moms, will be able to get paid for all the hours they work. [2] This is huge!

We moved mountains together. Moms and dads around the country submitted thousands of letters, stories, and comments to the Department of Labor in support of the overtime rule. And because of YOU, the Department of Labor strengthened overtime protections by raising the overtime pay threshold from $23,660 to $47,476. [3] We heard from so many moms that were working upwards of 30, 40, even 60 hours per week unpaid.

Moms like Brenda who wrote:
“I work sometimes seven days a week as an assistant manager from 8am to 7pm. Most of the time I don’t even take a lunch break (sometimes because we’re busy and sometimes because I just can’t afford it). I work over 40 hours a week and they will not pay overtime. My husband is ill and cannot work anymore, and I am raising two special needs children. I can hardly make ends meet but I’m not in a position to do anything else. I’m grateful for my job, but if we all could be paid for overtime it would also make us feel better about ourselves and better about our jobs.”

With this new rule, Brenda and millions of other workers will no longer have to work extra hours without getting paid!

This is a big deal. Your voice, your clicks online, and your engagement made a difference. MomsRising was at yesterday’s overtime announcement in Columbus, OH, where Labor Secretary Perez said, “People are going to get at least one of three benefits. They're either going to get more money, more time with their family and everybody is going to get clarity.” Some workers will get a raise because they will now be paid for all the hours they work. Some employees and employers might decide not to work overtime anymore, which means they will get more time with their family. And all of us will have the peace of mind to know that we are playing by the same rules. Overall this is a win-win for workers, families, and especially moms—3.1 moms will be positively effected by this new rule! [4]

Will you join me in showing your appreciation for this new overtime rule by signing a thank you note to President Obama and U.S. Secretary of Labor Perez?!

What moms and dads really want is to be paid fairly for the extra hours they work, which is what this rule does. The change in the overtime rule doesn’t just benefit families, though, it also boosts the economy because a higher overtime threshold could lead employers to hire more employees or increase the hours of part-time workers, so there is more money to be spent in our local communities, helping our economy as a whole. [5]

Overtime pay boosts workers, our families, and our economy! Take a few seconds to thank President Obama and Secretary Perez for this major win for American workers!

Thank you so much for making this victory possible! Together we are a strong voice for workers and families.

Sign our thank you note!

1. The White House. “Taking Actions to Expand Overtime Protections.”  | 2. Ross Eisenbrey and Will Kimball. “The new overtime rule will directly benefit 12.5 million working people.” | 3. Paul Davidson. “Overtime pay: What you need to know about the new rule.”  | 4. Ross Eisenbrey and Will Kimball. “The new overtime rule will directly benefit 12.5 million working people.” | 5. Michael Madowitz. “Opinion: New overtime rules will help workers, their families, and the economy.”