State employed registered nurses sue for unpaid overtime

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A group of nurses working at Iowa prisons and other state-run facilities who have not been paid overtime for two years have sued the state and Gov. Kim Reynolds.

The five women filing suit say the state is violating federal and state laws. They are seeking class-action status on behalf of as many as 700 registered nurses working for state agencies.

The state court lawsuit filed June 28 seeks an order requiring the state to pay overtime going forward, past unpaid compensation and other damages and costs.

The women said Monday the state refuses to pay registered nurses for overtime even though their jobs require them to work beyond 40 hours a week and other nurses working with them are paid overtime.

A spokesman says the governor declines to comment.