Doug, Perhaps the longstanding desire to kill OT is because in steel, tires, and other "measurably productive" sectors, time-and-a-half pay was used (by labor) to get at the surplus value. Capital has had a somewhat more difficult time "rationalizing" nursing, sales, and other service occupations that tend to have a greater %age of female workers. Nevertheless, it is happening with a vengence - especially in nursing where night-differentials and other perks are being taken away. In the ins company I work for, the workweek was increased from 35 to 37 1/2 hours, which is equivalent to about 23 days or about 7% more labor time. While comp time might appear to be more "family" oriented, the basic problem is that raising children is a totally path-dependent affair: you can't get back the time with your kids, even if they give you two days off for working an 18-hour shift. This issue hasn't been addressed by the WSJ crowd. Jason
