FLSA legislation introduced in Congress
Congressman Herbert Bateman (R-VA) reintroduced in the 105th Congress the Volunteer Firefighter and Rescue Squad Worker Protection Act (H.R. 94, the same bill number as in the previous Congress), commonly referred to as the “Fair Labor Standards Act Revision Legislation,” reports Bruce Beardmore of the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC).
The bill, which seeks to exclude from the definition of “employee” firefighters and rescue squad workers who choose to volunteer instead of receive overtime compensation, will be referred to the Workforce Protections Subcommittee of the House Economic and Educational Opportunities Committee.
The NVFC and Congressman Bateman`s staff have been working to ensure that the proposed legislation`s anticoercion language is strengthened to reduce the potential of paid personnel`s being “coerced” into volunteering, according to the NVFC.
Senator John Warner (R-VA) was to have introduced FLSA revision legislation in the Senate in early March (after press time), according to the NVFC.
The NVFC is seeking to obtain hearings in the House and Senate for these bills–a goal that can be achieved only if a significant number of legislators cosponsor them. The NVFC urges that members of the fire service contact their legislators immediately to ask them to sign on as cosponsors. Sample letters and talking points are available through the NVFC National Office at 1-888-ASK-NVFC (275-6832).
