New overtime bill

Nurses Activism

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This has probably been hashed before but just curious . . .

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

Serious question:

Does this mean if I do not get out on time in the morning, I should stop what I am doing and leave, or the extra time it takes for report is on me?

Not only does this bill release businesses from their previous obligation to pay workers overtime, but it also dissolves the 40 hr work week! This bill was originally sold to the public on the basis that it would help people making less than $23k/yr, however shortly after the bill was enacted, the department of labor released a list of "ideas" to help employers get around the new rules for people making less than $23k/yr. My favorite idea (sarcastic) presented by the department of labor was to give workers a pay cut so their base salary + their overtime = what they were originally making. Clinton may have screwed one person he wasn't supposed to; however GW is screwing the entire country! If these types of things are upsetting to you, then vote!!!

Does anyone know when this goes into effect? No discussion of dropping overtime at my hospital, but we are so short staffed I'm not they would have to courage to drop overtime pay right now. Maybe later when we are back up to par.

Originally posted by ernurse2244

No discussion of dropping overtime at my hospital, but we are so short staffed I'm not they would have to courage to drop overtime pay right now. Maybe later when we are back up to par.

This is what I'm worried about too...right now my CEO 'says' he has no plans to enforce this...but how about later???

Guess we need to keep a 'shortage' in effect or we will become an even more abused profession.....hmmm.

Just read a reply on the other group (nursing issues, or something) where a nurse from Ohio was forced to work overtime without the time and a half. She pulled an extra shift or would face losing her employment.

Charles, I also read that Labor Dept list of "suggestions" and it should've been something Jay Leno could've used. I wish I'd cut the article out. It was absolutely astounding that some govnt official would endorse this type of garbage.

I'm a retired USAF officer and lifetime Republican but I've had it with this party. Not sure the other one is any better but at least it's sounding ideology I'm in agreement with nowadays.

As for when this action starts, somewhere I recall the date as being March 1st of this year.

Just last night I saw on television our governor (Jeb Bush) relate all they're doing to alleviate the nursing shortage. He better talk to his brother unless he wants to witness an exodus.

Phil

ANA Testifies Against Proposed Rule to Block Overtime Pay

01/28/04

Citing concerns about the negative impact on nurses as well as their patients, a nurse representing ANA testified against a controversial final rule to change overtime provisions outlined in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA) at a packed Senate subcommittee hearing on Jan. 20.

The rule, proposed by the Department of Labor (DOL), would change the basis for determining which employees are entitled to overtime pay. If the change is implemented, as many as 8 million American workers could lose their right to time-and-a-half pay when they work more than 40 hours in a single week. The hearing was held before the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee; Sen. Arlen Specter, (R-PA), chairman of the subcommittee, presided.

Speaking on behalf of ANA, Patricia J. Hefner, RN, C, a Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA) member, testified against the proposed FSLA change by outlining how it would specifically affect nurses.

ANA and its constituent members have been outspoken opponents of the proposed revisions, citing concerns about the impact on nurses as well as their patients. ANA believes that under the new rules, employers would increase the dangerous practice of forced overtime for nurses since they would not be required to compensate them at time-and-a-half. In addition, such changes would further erode nurses' working conditions, exacerbating an already growing shortage of nurses.

The Bush administration first announced its plan to revise the FLSA in March 2003. Both the House and the Senate voted against the DOL proposal last fall, with Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) inserting an amendment that would have blocked funding for it into the omnibus appropriations bill. However, this language was stripped prior to a House vote approving the bill in early December, leaving the DOL free to proceed with the new rule. The Senate is now poised to vote on the final appropriations bill.

http://www.ANA.org

Specializes in Case Management, Home Health, UM.
http://politics.faxtoons.com/bush/pic1.php

How do unions fit into this bill? If the hospital has a strong nursing union, do the nurses still get overtime...or is everyone suscepitble to this policy change (I have heard conflicting info about this)?

I think it would depend on what the union can negotiate. And to be honest, I see a lot more nursing unions popping up in the future for this very reason.

Who in their right minds thought this could possibly help alleviate the nursing shortage? Or the shortages in law enforcement and fire/ems services for that matter?

Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

Just another reason I am thinking of going the MD (or PA) route instead of Nursing :(

That is just crazy and doesn't make a bit of sense!! Has GWB talked about this any to explain why he approves of this?

Marilyn

We know why GWB wants this bill, it benefits big business and that's what he's all about.

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