The American Society of Radiologic Technologists has announced its opposition to a proposed change in U.S. labor law that could eliminate the requirement to pay overtime to professional workers such as RTs. The Albuquerque, NM, society believes the proposed change could exacerbate the current shortage of RTs by making it more difficult to recruit and train employees.
The U.S. Department of Labor has proposed expanding the classification of "professional workers" who are exempt from overtime pay to include workers who gain "knowledge and skill through a combination of job experience, military training, attending a technical school, or attending a community college." Analysts believe the change could affect as many as eight million U.S. workers, including radiologic technologists, according to the ASRT.
While there is still no definitive answer as to whether it would cover RTs, the ASRT is sufficiently concerned about the change to begin lobbying efforts against it. The society has asked members of Congress to block the change, and has written to Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, asking for an evaluation of the impact the change might have on the healthcare industry.
The ASRT has also expressed its concern to the American Hospital Association, and asked the AHA to recommend to its members that hospitals continue to pay RTs an hourly wage plus overtime.
The ASRT said that if the proposed change isn’t blocked, it could take effect by the end of the year.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writersJuly 21, 2003
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