20 NYS workers' overtime far exceeds base pay

Some of New York State's top overtime earners, including a Stony Brook Hospital employee, pulled down far more in overtime pay than their base salaries in 2013, according to state records.

Twenty public workers totaled more than $2 million more in overtime pay than they received in their base salaries, which totaled just over $1 million, according to the state comptroller's office records obtained under the Freedom of Information Law.

The teaching and research worker at Stony Brook Hospital was paid a base salary of $58,468, but received an additional $98,711 in overtime, the records showed.

He was the only state worker on the list of the top 20 overtime earners who was based on Long Island. The most common worksite for those on the list released Friday were offices in New York City.

"Overtime is becoming a costly habit for New York State," said state Comptroller Thomas Napoli, who audits state agencies.

"After declines earlier in the decade, it is again on the rise and could break a record for 2013," he said. "State agencies responsible for managing this expense must ensure that workloads are appropriate and effective."

A report is due soon that will detail overtime trends and costs.

At the Brooklyn Developmental Disabilities Services Office, for example, a worker with a base salary of $55,207 received another $113,694 in overtime pay, the records stated.

An upstate correction department lieutenant at Coxsackie Correctional Facility was paid nearly $119,000 in overtime pay for his job, which has a base pay of $90,243, the records showed.

And a correction officer stationed in Long Island City who was paid a base salary of $69,821 also received $96,228.81 in overtime.

There was no immediate reaction from the Cuomo administration.