The new overtime rule that took effect last month is just one example of the Bush administration's attempt to whittle away workers' rights, said Wyoming Democrats attending Casper's annual Labor Day picnic at City Park.

The event, sponsored by the Casper Area Trades and Labor Assembly and the Casper Building and Trades Council, was the perfect opportunity for Democratic political candidates to do some campaigning: Many who attend the yearly barbecue belong to Wyoming's minority party.

During an election year the picnic typically attracts between 1,000 and 1,500 people.

Balloons bearing the names of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry and running mate John Edwards and bumper stickers and pins promoting local Democrats were passed out to people who weren't already showing their support.

John Vanvig, campaign manager for Democratic U.S. House candidate Ted Ladd, appeared to be well received as he passed out Ladd's brochures to union members, their family members and friends who were waiting in line for burgers, hot dogs, soft drinks and beer.

Ladd, of Wilson, had to attend the Cheyenne Labor Day picnic due to his schedule, Vanvig said.

Neither Republican U.S. Rep Barbara Cubin, nor a representative from her office attended the picnic.

Speaking for Ladd, Vanvig said the Bush administration is "heading in the wrong direction" where the average worker is concerned.

The overtime changes are "taking money out of the pockets of a lot of working families here in Wyoming -- millions of working families across the country -- it's that simple," he asserted.

The Labor Department says no more than 107,000 workers will lose overtime eligibility from the changes that took effect last month, but about 1.3 million will gain it, wire reports stated.

The new overtime rules survived many efforts by Democrats, labor unions and worker advocates to block them in Congress and kill them through public and political pressure. The rules address jobs that are targets of lawsuits, spelling out what duties would exempt them from overtime. They include pharmacists, funeral directors, embalmers, journalists, claims adjusters, dental hygienists and chefs.

Contrary to what the Labor Department says, the Economic Policy Institute, a liberal Washington think tank, believes that at least 6 million workers will lose, and only a few will get new rights to premium pay for working more than 40 hours a week.

Retired Iron Workers' Union secretary Bobbi Metcalf had this to say about the new rules: "(Former president Ronald) Reagan started taking every labor law we ever had out of the system and (Bush) is finishing it."

Joan Bangen, Democratic candidate for Casper's House District 28, set up a booth at the picnic. She recalled another move by the Bush administration that, in her opinion, showed he is no friend of the working class.

"He took away the unemployment insurance when we tried to extend it for those people who were impacted by 9-11," she said. Bangen also feels Bush is not receptive to women's issues.

Wearing pro-Ladd and pro-Kerry pins on her shirt, Bangen said the reason she supports Ladd is because he's sensitive to labor issues.

"He's interested in bringing jobs to Wyoming with a liveable wage and he's going to actually stay and vote for us when the vote happens," she explained.

In addition, Bangen said, she believed Ladd will be make good on his word to bring good jobs to the state, which would help keep Wyoming's young people here.

Reporter Tara Westreicher can be reached at (307) 266-0593 or tara.westreicher@casperstartribune.net.