Doug, that's already covered by Labor law. Worker must be paid, at least 'straight time'. Though, they COULD be given compensatory time off (work 1 hour less the next, for example). But they must be compensated.For example, say you have to accompany your client to the doctor and your employer has you down for only working 9AM - 5PM. Your clients doctors visit is scheduled for 3:30PM. Well, on a rare fluke the doctor doesn't even see your client until 4:30PM. You both wind up arriving back at the clients home at 6:00PM. The employer doesn't pay for the extra hour you were forced to work.
And there's penalties (read that as $$$) that the employee can garner for the employer not paying for the hours worked.
And 'whistleblower' laws provide for recourse in case of any punitive action on the part of the employer.
Not sure I'd trust NPR (a leftie-liberal-loon organization) on the matter, as left-loons have a STRONG desire in trying to grab 'support' from the Unions. Want 'wage reform', then band together to change the law, not let some 'union' pull hard-earned dollars out of one's pocket. Start with mandatory 1.5x OT pay for any and all hours worked over 8, not just over 40 / week or 80 / 2 weeks. Sure don't need unions for that.
But, home health care workers are yet another example of why folks should be pushing for a $15 / hr. minimum wage.
Unions are, basically, looking out for the best interest of the Union staff, not necessarily the Union Member. SEIU is particularly known for covering the butts of the Union administration while NOT looking out for the dues-paying Member. SEIU has virtually no actual 'power', but they sure want those union dues coming in, and 'insist' their Members vote democRAT.
Sure makes Obama and Reid happy!