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Hope everyone had a nice Memorial Day! Welcome to the latest edition of the Tuesday Telegraph, our special edition that replaces the Monday Morning Messenger whenever there's a holiday.
Our first story covers the new overtime rule, effective July 1, 2024. This rule raises the minimum salary threshold for overtime exemption.
OSHA's new Walkaround Rule, set to take effect at the end of this month, just got challenged in a Texas court. Find out more in our second story of the morning.
In other news, the Texas Governor has declared a disaster and suspended hours of service limits for select counties affected by recent storms. Read more about the hours' suspension amended and updated over the weekend in our third story of the morning.
Finally, don’t miss the TPGA Convention's Technical & Technology Workshops during the Crossroads Propane Expo & Conference this August in Allen. Limited spots are available, so register now.
Explore our Quick Links section for more details on the extended deadline for the Propane Sales Report, Propane Service Corporation 2025 Calendars, GeneratioNext Workforce Recruitment, and the 2024 Crossroads Propane Expo & Conference as a whole.
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- Overtime Rule
- OSHA Challenged
- Amended Updated Hours Suspension
- Upcoming Propane Technical Workshops
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New Overtime Rule Goes into Effect July 1, 2024 | |
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The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)’s Wage and Hour Division announced its final overtime rule earlier this month. The rule raises the minimum salary used to determine whether a worker is exempt from overtime pay, increasing workforce costs and reducing flexibility at a time of high inflation and ongoing workforce shortages.
Starting July 1, 2024, the minimum salary for workers to be exempt from overtime pay will rise from $684 per week ($35,568 annually) to $844 per week ($43,888 annually).
By Jan. 1, 2025, it will further increase to $1,128 per week ($58,656 annually), with the threshold increasing automatically every three years. Most employees earning less than the threshold will be owed time-and-a-half wages for more than 40 hours worked in a single workweek.
We recommend that you carefully review your classification of exempt employees under the new salary levels to ensure your compliance with the Department of Labor's overtime regulations. The Department of Labor provides resources to help employers comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) on its website, which is linked below.
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OSHA “Walkaround Rule” Challenged in Court | |
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Last week, the National Propane Gas Association’s ally, the National Association of Manufacturers, joined by other business groups, filed suit in the Western District of Texas to challenge the Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA)’s final rule amending the Worker Walkaround Representative Designation Process also known as the Walkaround Rule.
The Walkaround Rule will allow an unlimited number of third parties, such as union representatives, plaintiffs’ attorneys, and community organizers, to accompany OSHA inspectors on safety inspections.
The final rule will go into effect on May 31, 2024, unless the court challenge is successful.
| Governor's Disaster Declaration Triggers Hours of Service Suspension for Several Counties
Additional Counties Added on Sunday, May 26th | |
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The Texas Governor re-issued an amended disaster declaration on Sunday, May 26, 2024, due to severe storms in April and May, including the Memorial Day weekend storms. This updated declaration allows the use of the declaration instead of a DPS waiver.
Under 49 CFR 390.23, this declaration automatically suspends the hours-of-service limits set forth in 49 CFR 395.3 for 14 days for those providing direct assistance to the updated affected counties.
On Sunday, the Governor added Denton, Montague, Cooke, and Collin counties to the list of affected counties that had previously been in the May 20th declaration. For the complete full list of affected counties, view the updated and amended declaration linked below.
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Space Limited in TPGA Convention's Technical & Technology Workshops.
Register to Reserve Your Spot.
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Day 1: Regulatory, Compliance, & Safety Training (RRC CEU Credit)
The Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA) will host a Regulatory Compliance & Safety Training on Thursday, August 1, 2024, from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm during the 2024 Crossroads Propane Expo & Conference in Allen, TX. The event starts with lunch, followed by 30–45-minute sessions from state and federal agencies regulating the propane industry. It is intended for branch and operations managers, compliance personnel, and those involved with regulatory aspects of the propane business. The training is a single, comprehensive class and is not available in individual sessions.
Day 2: Technical & Technology Training Workshops
For those not golfing, on Friday, August 2, 2024, from 8:00 am to noon, the association will host a series of consecutive technical & technology workshops. Mix and match between these technical and technology. A diverse menu of training is available for selection.
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Technical Training Workshops
(Sunrise I room)
8:00 am - 8:45 am
"Creative methods for sizing piping systems to maximize load, minimize cost, and to allow for future opportunities for adding new appliances."
Presented by Bob Torbin
9:00 am - 9:30 am
"Flow and lock-up tests, pressure testing, and leak testing”
Presented by John Horner from P3 Propane Safety
9:45 am - 10:15 am
"Residential propane detectors are now covered by a new NFPA Standard 715."
Presented by Bob Torbin from Omega Flex, Inc.
10:30 am - 11:00 am (30 min)
"Cathodic protection testing"
Presented by Sean Caney from Offen Petroleum
11:15 am – 11:45 pm (30 min)
“GeneratioNext Workforce Recruitment”
Presented by Michelle Wilson, GeneratioNext Propane Pros
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Technology Training Workshops
(Sunrise II room)
8:00 am - 8:30 am
“Builder Outreach & Residential Technology Trends”
Presented by Propane Council of Texas
8:45 am - 9:15 am
"How to Build the Company Culture You Want"
Presented by Brody Newton, Buster's Propane, LLC
9:30 am - 10:00 am
"Utilization of propane for large capacity power generation and back-up for industrial applications"
Presented by Mark Wenik, TransTech Energy
10:15 am - 11:00 am
"Truck Trends": increasing demand for camera systems, telematics, and more to make the driver's job easier.
Presented by Westmor Industries
11:15 am – 11:45 pm
"The 5 Trends in Technology You Need to Know"
Presented by Kevin Jaffe, Mopeka
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Help Texas get its fair share of funding from PERC. Report today! The extended deadline
is May 31, 2024 | |
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Order Your 2025 Calendar from
Propane Service Corporation (PSC) before June 30, 2024, for special pricing. The price goes up after that.
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Review Job Candidates,
Post a Job or Participate in an Outreach Session. It's FREE.
Access Nextgenpropane.com
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Attend the can't miss 2024 Crossroads Propane Expo & Conference on August 1-3, 2024 in the DFW Metroplex | | | | |
