Thank you for your coverage of the vote to prevent changes in the 40-hour workweek, which took place Sept 10. The American Nurses Association is also concerned about the effects of changes in the overtime rules.

The time-and-a-half rule for overtime was conceived in 1939 not as a reward for workers, but as a disincentive for employers who might otherwise disregard the impact of overtime on a worker’s lifestyle. Given the round-the-clock nature of nursing, the ANA worked to educate our senators as to the need to support shift workers such as nurses. We thank Sen. Snowe for her help.

The Bangor Daily News omitted coverage of another significant victory for the nurses of Maine which took place the same day. The “Collins-Mikulski amendment” added $50 million to the Nurse Reinvestment Act. Baby boomers now make up the bulk of the nation’s registered nurse work force.

The Reinvestment Act addresses the long-term problems in the nursing profession caused by the impending retirement of the baby boom generation. Sen. Collins adds this bill to a growing list of achievements which now includes support of rural hospitals, rollback of cuts in federal reimbursement to home care, and others. The American Nurses Association (ANA) considers Collins to be a pillar of support for the nation’s nurses.

On Oct 3 all registered nurses in Maine are invited to attend a meeting in Portland where we will discuss ways to continue the work that supports the nursing profession. For more information go to our Web site, www.anamaine.org.

Joe Niemczura, RN, MS

President

ANA-Maine

Ellsworth