Harbor Cruises v. Dept. of Labor

**Harbor Cruises v. Department of Labor: Court Rules State Law Can Require Overtime for Sea Workers** This case involved David Cate, who worked as a seaman for Harbor Cruises LLC. When Cate wasn't paid overtime wages, he filed a complaint with Rhode Island's Department of Labor. Harbor Cruises argued they didn't have to pay overtime because federal law exempts seamen from overtime requirements. The Rhode Island Superior Court sided with the worker and upheld the Department of Labor's decision. The court ruled that even though federal law doesn't require overtime pay for seamen, Rhode Island state law can still demand it. The company had to pay $1,137 in damages to Cate. The court explained that federal law includes a "savings clause" that allows states to create stronger worker protections than what federal law provides. This ruling matters because it shows that workers may have stronger rights under state law than federal law. Even when federal rules exempt certain types of workers from protections like overtime pay, state laws might still cover them. Workers should check both federal and state laws to understand their full rights, as states can offer better protections than the federal minimum.