Opinion ID: 3037896
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: DOL Opinion Letter

Text: In a DOL Opinion Letter dated June 1, 2006, see Appellants’ Br. Addendum 4, the DOL responded to a hypothetical question and opined that the dual function paramedics posed in the hypothetical fell within the § 207(k) exemption.6 In the hypothetical, the dual function paramedics were hired as firefighters, were required to attend the full 6 “Interpretations such as those in opinion letters--like interpretations contained in policy statements, agency manuals, and enforcement guidelines, all of which lack the force of law--do not warrant Chevron-style deference.” Christensen v. Harris County, 529 U.S. 576, 587 (2000). Instead, the lesser degree of deference called for by Skidmore v. Swift, 323 U.S. 134 (1944), is appropriate. The Skidmore rule provides “[t]he weight of [an agency’s] judgment in a particular case will depend upon the thoroughness evident in its consideration, the validity of its reasoning, its consistency with earlier and later pronouncements, and all those factors which give it power to persuade if lacking power to control.” Id. at 140. 29 seventeen-week firefighter training course, and, unlike the paramedics in Cleveland, wore fire protection gear and carried breathing apparatus. Significantly, the hypothetical dual function paramedics were routinely ordered to perform fire suppression duties and were ordered to all fire scenes. Thus, the factual scenario upon which the DOL opinion letter was based was substantially different from the scenario in Cleveland and from that before us.