IBM accused of denying overtime pay

Suit says company misclassified full-time computer installation and maintenance workers as exempt from overtime.
The New York Times

The story "IBM accused of denying overtime pay" published January 25, 2006 at 5:31 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

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Benefits of Unions

Unions were started to protect workers against this type of abuse. Do you really think Elaine Chao the current Secretary of Labor cares about the worker or big money.

[David Arbogast]

Not a benefit

These employees aren't in a union and yet they still have the right to disagree with their employer and sue for damages. If the court finds IBM guilty, then the workers win.

Think about this... what good would a union do for these employees?

It would charge dues to be paid out of employee salary.

It would likely have initiated a strike before a court review that would cripple IBM and strand thousands more workers without pay.

It would put big dollars in the pockets of the union leaders while leveraging the employee's productivity and salary against their special interists... which... as anybody who's paying attention can attest to... is NOT the interest of the employee.

Let the courts rule... its their job. A union for computer workers would only make things worse.

Benefits of Unions

Unions were started to protect workers against this type of abuse. Do you really think Elaine Chao the current Secretary of Labor cares about the worker or big money.

[David Arbogast]

Not a benefit

These employees aren't in a union and yet they still have the right to disagree with their employer and sue for damages. If the court finds IBM guilty, then the workers win.

Think about this... what good would a union do for these employees?

It would charge dues to be paid out of employee salary.

It would likely have initiated a strike before a court review that would cripple IBM and strand thousands more workers without pay.

It would put big dollars in the pockets of the union leaders while leveraging the employee's productivity and salary against their special interists... which... as anybody who's paying attention can attest to... is NOT the interest of the employee.

Let the courts rule... its their job. A union for computer workers would only make things worse.

Beneift of Unions

This is why unions started. Do you really think Elaine Chao the current Secretary of Labor will support the worker or Big Money?

Beneift of Unions

This is why unions started. Do you really think Elaine Chao the current Secretary of Labor will support the worker or Big Money?

State Taxes will drive prosecution

In most states it is OK not to pay professionals for overtime. However it is a big no-no not to pay state taxes for the services rendered. This has happened a number of times here in California, and the Franchise Tax Board always gets it's share. Read your employee agreements very closely. You will find that you probably signed away your rights to OT.

[Rusdude]

Can't "sign away" OT

While I'm not familiar with state-by-state laws, generally if an employment agreement you signed violates legislation, it's not valid.

State Taxes will drive prosecution

In most states it is OK not to pay professionals for overtime. However it is a big no-no not to pay state taxes for the services rendered. This has happened a number of times here in California, and the Franchise Tax Board always gets it's share. Read your employee agreements very closely. You will find that you probably signed away your rights to OT.

[Rusdude]

Can't "sign away" OT

While I'm not familiar with state-by-state laws, generally if an employment agreement you signed violates legislation, it's not valid.