IP: No overtime for mouse martyrs

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

<http://www.news.com/Perspectives/perspectives.html?ntb.pers>http://www.new
s.com/Perspectives/perspectives.html?ntb.pers




For many of the 8,000 or so temporary workers employed by Microsoft and
Boeing,
1998 is already turning out to be a crappy year. Under a new rule that went
into effect


January 1, computer programmers, systems analysts, and other hourly paid
computer workers who possess a "high degree of theoretical knowledge" are no
longer eligible for mandatory overtime pay in Washington state, where both
firms are based.




....


Of course, computer workers aren't taking this lying down. They've already met
with labor union organizers, who are encouraging them to fight through
collective bargaining.


Deals cut by unions are unaffected by the new rule. After trying for years,
unsuccessfully, to organize middle- and upper-income Information Age temp
workers, it seems that unions finally have their first real opening.