Governor signs mandatory overtime bill into law

ALBANY, August 15, 2008 – A bill banning mandatory overtime for RNs and LPNs was signed into law by Gov. Paterson on Wednesday, August 13. The New York State Nurses Association has championed a ban on mandatory overtime since 2000, when a bill was introduced at the association's request. Since then, the Nurses Association has rallied at the State Capitol and engaged in intensive lobbying to encourage support of this important legislation.

“We have fought for this legislation for more than eight years,” said Tina Gerardi, RN, chief executive officer of the New York State Nurses Association. “Our members across the state have told us that employer-mandated overtime is endangering their patients and their own health. This is a landmark measure for both patients and nurses.”

The new law is a major step toward addressing the current nursing shortage by improving working conditions for nurses. The ban on mandatory overtime will also protect the safety of patients in New York. The new law goes into effect on July 1, 2009. The bill had been passed unanimously by the New York State Senate and by the State Assembly on June 23.

The New York State Nurses Association is the voice for nursing in the Empire State. With more than 36,000 members, it is the state's largest union and professional association for registered nurses. It supports nurses and nursing practice through education, research, legislative advocacy, and collective bargaining.

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