By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis – Unionized workers protested in downtown St. Louis Monday. They don't like new Labor Department rules on overtime.
The regulations allow overtime for some low wage workers who weren't eligible before. But they also exempt employees who manage others.
Tom Roberts is a union operating engineer."I don't know if it's affecting me just yet, but its affecting six million people as of today, and I'm here to protest that," Roberts said. "I don't believe in it whatsoever, and I think George Bush needs to take a look at what he's doing to the working class."
The Labor Department figures show only about 100,000 people will lose overtime pay.
The Bush Administration says the new rules are clearer and will help avert lawsuits.
Illinoisans are generally exempt from the new rules.
In April, Illinois became the first state to reject the regulations under state law.