Evening star., 1943-04-15
.LiberaIized Overtime
In Lower Pay Brackets
Retained by Conferees
FinoI Possoee Of Bill
Expected in Few Days;
$4,000 Ceiling Imposed
BY J. A. O'LEARY.

A compromise wartime pay bill
for Federal and District employees
that deals more literally with the
low brackets, and also permits
some increases above the $4,000
level. is awaiting ratification by
the Senate and House within the
next few days.
In a three hour session late yes
terday conferees from the two
branches settled their differences
with an agreement on these major
| points:
| A $500 increase for those in the
executive departments in the lower
salary brackets for whom the present
temporary increase of 2l6 per cent
for a 48-hour week amounts to less
than 5000.
| Changes Flat 10 Per Cent.
| For those whose work cannot be
measured by hourS-prlncipally in
the legislative and judicial branches
"a $500 increase on salaries up to
$4,000 and Is per cent increase
for those making $4,000 or more in
this category Under the temporary
law that expires April 30 all of these
employees have been getting a fiat 10
| per cent.
| The Senate won its fight to elimi-
nate the ceiling in the temporary
law which bans any increase that
would run salary above S. 900,
| but it was agreed to insert a new
! ceiling of $4,000 On all salaries
! above $4,000, however, the increase,
whether as overtime or fiat percent
age, would be computed only on the
first $4,000.
Extends Time to l945.
The new salary plan would take
| effect May l and continue until
June 80, l945. with power reserved
| in Congress to terminate it earlier,
instead of the Senate expiration
date of June 30, 1914.
The conferees retained the pro-
vision giving department heads the
option Of allowing compensatory
time off instead of overtime pay for
work in excess of 48 hours.
The Senate amendment. which
would have denied pay increases
under this bill to any person belong
ing to union. if the union discrim-
mates in membership on grounds
OF race, creed or color, was elimi-
mated by the conferees.
For part time employees. such as
! the cleaning force in the custodial
service, the agreement provides for
IS per cent increase instead of
the proposed fiat increase of 1871
cents per hour.
Uses Same Formula.
For the thousands of per annum
| employees in the executive depart
ments and independent agencies,
| the bill is essentially an overtime
measure, and retains the same
formula adopted in December OF
using a 360-day work year for
computing overtime above 40 hours.
AS soon as the temporary law
was passed all departments were put
on a 4S-hour week, which meant
2l.6 per cent raise for a 20 per
cent longer week
Inc major dltference the new
bill makes for these departmental
employees is to substitute a fiat $500
, for the ZIG per cent rate for those
whose overtime at that rate would
be less than $500.
The conferees retained House
provision permitting members of
the House to readjust the salaries
nf
ployes, but without increasing their
| present total for clerk hire. This
/ would permit member to pay one
empioye maximum of $4,000
| year
The conference report probably
will be taken up for approval in
! the Senate tomorrow and in the
| House q few dayS later