New Bush overtime bill

sunhill · Jan 31, 2004

Thanks for this post, Phil. I'm wondering if it has yet affected any readers here. Can they really now mandate overtime at regular pay rates? Is there a limit to it? Has anyone experienced this yet?

(I'm voting against GW, too.)

PHM · Jan 31, 2004

Here's a link to the story from Jan 30th.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/editorial/2379506

Wall Street Journal mentioned lobbyists were going nuts pedaling the halls of Congress for pro votes and apparently got enough for them to just let it pass through without even a debate. Disgusting.

Not sure how it works in hospitals (I'm a last semester student) but for police and fire people they CAN be forced to work overtime in emergency situations.

I do work part time in a local hospital as a PSA and have seen in the past where no one (nurse) volunteered to extend their 12 hr shift to 16 hrs (census was high that night). Charge nurse said, "one of you needs to volunteer or I'll pick one." Think someone actually did capitulate.

I'm not sure why this hasn't gotten the press it deserves, but think the fan will hit the s--- when people actually start getting screwed.

In fairness to the thing, it does mandate the non-overtime pay as an "option" for employers and they could pay time and a half if they wanted to. Hmmm

Phil

NICU_RNwantsFL · Feb 7, 2004

hi - i am not a political analyst by any means, but help me understand here......

under this new bill, what incentive do hospitals have to bring their staffing up to reasonable ratios? sounds like........

none :eek:

i have never seen forced overtime in our unit. usually we can drag in at least a skeletal crew by waving the "critical pay" flag - so will that be gone as well?

maybe geo. w. is just ticked because he doesn't get overtime pay! :roll

happyNICUnurse · Aug 11, 2004

check out here for more info: http://www.seiu.org/health/nurses/mandatory_overtime/

ps. neither GW nor his brother!

Any conversation of this in your hospitals, etc???? Would like to know your thoughts on it. Concised below but more info is available by search.
Re: new federal overtime law that permits employers to deny overtime pay for anyone making in excess of about $23K/yr. Mainly affects those who may be legally required to work overtime: healthcare, police and fire folks. Passed thru about a month ago.
Background: Actually was enacted to give the working poor (and PRNers) the ability to make overtime pay. Big business boo hoo'd and threw money and lobby power around Washington. Program was re-written to put the cost on the backs of the usual middle class workers. Congress was "outraged" and labor went nuts trying to fight it. A big uproar ensued, but lobbying $$ poured into Congress and they readily endorsed the program as it's now written.
Just another reason I won't vote for GW.
Phil

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Aug 11, 2004

My thoughts on this is that nurses need to realize that we live in a political world and the only way to advance the profession of nursing (and the working conditions) is to participate in the political process. The AMA does. Yet, how many nurses belong to the ANA? And how many of those nurses actually participate? I had a meeting last night with my NSA people and was surprised that a majority of my fellow officers don't see the importance and one, very young I must add, thought the whole idea of politics so distasteful, she couldn't see any association between our organization and the political aspects of nursing.

The AMA is a powerful lobby because most physicians are dues paying members. They have a voice that is loud and clear. When we learn to unite and speak up with a loud voice, we too can fight those Washington battles cuz there will be more GWB's.

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Aug 11, 2004

Here's a link to the story from Jan 30th.
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/editorial/2379506... l

The above no longer works.

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Aug 11, 2004

... Just another reason I won't vote for GW...

Why are we leaving Congress out of this?

RNPATL, DNP, RN · Aug 11, 2004

My thoughts on this is that nurses need to realize that we live in a political world and the only way to advance the profession of nursing (and the working conditions) is to participate in the political process. The AMA does. Yet, how many nurses belong to the ANA? And how many of those nurses actually participate? I had a meeting last night with my NSA people and was surprised that a majority of my fellow officers don't see the importance and one, very young I must add, thought the whole idea of politics so distasteful, she couldn't see any association between our organization and the political aspects of nursing.
The AMA is a powerful lobby because most physicians are dues paying members. They have a voice that is loud and clear. When we learn to unite and speak up with a loud voice, we too can fight those Washington battles cuz there will be more GWB's.

Kat - excellent point that you make - however the ANA has their own agenda and unfortunately, if you look at their position on issues, their representation of the working class (ADN/BSN) nurse is very limited. However, I do support the idea that you are presenting and also support the idea that nurses need to rally together to fight these types of crazy legislative initiatives. The only people these types of bills favor are big business.