Dear AH&LA Member,

We learned late yesterday that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) would not extend the comment period for its proposed changes to our nation's overtime regulations which were issued on July 6, 2015. AH&LA submitted a request for a 60 day extension of the comment period on July 14, but the DOL waited until August 31 to deny that extension.  

With a proposal so massive and complex (it more than DOUBLES the salary threshold for employees eligible for overtime), it's unfortunate and astounding that the DOL would not want to allow enough time for all concerned parties to provide accurate and fact-based comments on the proposal. 

AH&LA retained the law firm of Morgan Lewis & Bockius, LLP and their team of former DOL and Wage and Hour officials to work with us on substantive comments that accurately reflect the impact these regulations will have on our industry. Together, we developed a questionnaire, surveyed our membership and compiled a master list of comments and responses which has become the basis for official testimony that AH&LA will be submitting on behalf of the hotel and lodging industry later this week.  

With the comment period closing this Friday, September 4, it is critical that the Department of Labor hear from AH&LA members this week. It's fast and easy.

The Partnership to Protect Workplace Opportunity, of which AH&LA is a steering committee member, has a grassroots portal set up for individuals and businesses to submit draft comments. All you have to do is visit the coalition's TAKE ACTION PAGE, insert your personal or company information and hit send. It takes less than 60 SECONDS, but it will help send a message to the DOL that the hotel industry has some very serious concerns about these short-sighted changes to the overtime regulations.

Please take this action now and if you have any further questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out to Brian Crawford, bcrawford@ahla.com directly. Thank you for your continued involvement and support.

Sincerely,

Katherine Lugar
President & CEO
American Hotel & Lodging Association