Employees assigned to the various highway patrol crews in the department of transportation shall, during the period from November 1 through March 31 each year, in addition to their regular compensation, be paid at the rate of time and one-half on a minute basis for all time worked in excess of 8 hours during any one day. Such a day shall be defined as beginning at the time a man is required to report for duty and shall end at the time of final release.