U.S. CUSTOMS UNION PROTESTS HOUSE SPENDING BILL

WASHINGTON July 23 (States) -- U.S. Customs officers are outraged over a
legislation that would recalculate their compensation for working irregular
hours.

On Thursday, a law enforcement union spoke out in opposition to a bill
passed by the House, which they say treats customs officers unfairly.

"It's anti-worker provisions constitute assaults on the rights and benefits
of those who risk their lives every day in the fight against illegal drugs,"
said Robert M. Tobias, president of the National Treasury Employees Union
(NTEU).

Rep. Ciro D. Rodriguez, D-San Antonio, joined the union in condemning the
bill's provisions.

"This bill is an attack against the people on the front lines of the war on
drugs," Rodriguez said. "The bill's authors have slapped the law enforcement
officers by assaulting their ... benefits."

The House bill would alter premium pay -- which is pay added on to the
standard hourly pay -- for Customs Service employees, according to the NTEU.

But the authors of the bill say that premium pay should not be given when an
officer works regular hours, and that it should be paid only from 6 p.m. to
6 a.m.

"A fair day's work deserves a fair day's pay," said Trent Duffy, spokesman
for the House Ways and Means Committee. "However, something must be done to
stop the abuses of overtime pay. Workers are getting paid overtime just for
working odd hours ... drug smuggling is not a nine-to-five job and neither
is that of a customs worker."

Under current law, when an officer works past 6 p.m., the customs official
earns premium pay for all the hours, Duffy said. For example, when an
officer works noon to 8 p.m., eight hours of premium pay are given. Under
the House bill, only the hours of 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. would be covered by
premium pay.

The Senate version of the bill does not contain provisions that would alter
Customs agents' pay.

"Let's pass a Drug Free Borders Act that doesn't demoralize the people on
the front lines," Rodriguez said.

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett