is there an law that manadates the amount of required overtime and employer can insist upon? I work for a facility that consistantly requires anywhere from 8 to 12 hours of mandatory overtime per week. Each shift has restricted hours. My shift usually can't start earlier than noon and must leave by 1:30 am. As it stands many people work 6 to 7 days a week. i know this may not seem excessive but it is physically and emotionally draining week after week. we also only get 15 minute breaks and 30 minutes lunches, which are cut shorter due to our time clock system. Is this kind of treatment fair or am I just a lightweight?

Whether it's fair or not is a subjective call. It's not illegal. Actually, Alabama law doesn't even require meal periods for those 16 years of age or older and doesn't require rest breaks at all.

There is only one (possibly two) state/s that limit the amount of overtime per week. Alabama is not one of them. 8-12 hours of overtime is WELL within the limits even of the state (those states) that does/do.

Sorry I can't give you a better answer. I'm not unsympathetic to your situation but nothing you have posted violates any laws.

Of course you must be paid for all hours you worked. File a claim for the unpaid wages with the state Dept. of Labor.