I know that working more than 5 hours automatically turns into time and a half but what if its split into more than one shift. I work during the day sort shift which gives me just under 5 hours each shift but what happens if I also work the twilight shift in the same day. Does the second shift add to the 4+ hours i already worked or does it reset?
Read your contract supplement & ask your steward. It varies by supplement (see replies #2&3).
Around here, the second shift
does add to the 4+ hours you already worked, and it is all OT after 5 hours. The only variable is when the shifts are on 2 different days as listed on the company's operation reports, say you normally work Twilight then double on Sunrise. Around here the Sunrise shift is considered the next day, you work straight time on Sunrise (let's say you work 4 hours), and then when you come back for Twilight you start OT 1 hour into that shift. The few times I doubled it was basically insignificant, moneywise, when calculated that way. But double check with your union steward or business agent if you think it would make a difference in your favor.