A joint letter on behalf of University of Wisconsin System President Ray Cross and all 14 UW System Chancellors requests that the White House and Office of Management and Budget reconsider proposed changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act regulations related to overtime compensation.
As applied to the UW System, the proposed sharp increases to the salary threshold could impact more than 5,000 employees, with far-reaching economic effects across campuses. The change ultimately would be costly to students, according to the letter, which was directed to Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin, Senator Ron Johnson and the other members of Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation.
The UW System is urging support for legislative efforts to further evaluate and mitigate the economic burden of the proposed regulatory changes. While a reasonable increase in the salary threshold is warranted, UW System contends that the proposed increase goes too far and too quickly, especially since university budgets are already developed and approved tor the coming academic year.