Gunther Rallies to End Mandatory Overtime for Nurses
Hundreds of nurses around the state crowd the State Capitol
to show their support for legislation

Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther (D, C-Forestburgh) spoke on the steps of the State Capitol in Albany in front of hundreds of nurses rallying to end mandatory overtime requirements in the field of nursing. Gunther has authored legislation (A.1898-B) to prohibit the practice, citing the need for improved patient care and the current national nursing shortage as reasons why mandatory overtime does not work.

"We must lift the unfair burden that has been placed on nurses," said Gunther, who worked as a registered nurse for nearly three decades before joining the Assembly. "We cannot attract the professionals we need, and we cannot give patients the kind of quality care they deserve when we have exhausted nurses working well past reasonable limits."

The rally drew nurses from across the state, including supporters from the New York State Nurses Association, the New York State Public Employees Federation, the Communications Workers of America, New York State United Teachers, and the Nurse Alliance of 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. The legislation has gained the support of every major nurses union in New York State.

With the exception of emergency situations, the bill restricts the number of consecutive hours nurses are required to work, but does not prohibit nurses from working overtime voluntarily.

Assemblywoman Gunther's bill passed the Assembly last year, and similar proposals have been considered for several years, but the bill has failed to pass the Senate. Assemblywoman Gunther is confident, however, that the bill will pass this year.

"I'm confident that this is the year that nurses will be granted new rights and new protections in New York State," Gunther said. "Senator Morahan has sponsored legislation in the Senate, and he, too, is certain that this will be the year for nurses."

Sen. Thomas Morahan (R-New City) is the Senate sponsor of the legislation.