Administration’s Pre-Labor Day Pro-Labor Policy Rollout
September 01, 2015
In an Aug. 27 ruling against the waste management firm Browning-Ferris, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) redefined the employee-employer relationship, making it harder for companies with franchises and independent contractors to avoid offering protections and benefits. It will also give unions more negotiating power and make contracting companies more vulnerable to legal action.
In the decision, the board determined that Browning-Ferris should be considered a “joint employer” with a staffing agency contracted to support its California recycling facility. Under this new status, the company could be pulled into collective bargaining negotiations or held liable for labor violations committed by the direct employer.
For repair stations that contract services – from janitorial support to food service – joint employer status would mean additional litigation, employee unionization and the use of “economic weapons” such as pickets and protests. Before the NLRB ruling, companies using contracted services were insulated from such hazards. If left unaddressed, the new standard could place companies in danger of these labor issues whenever they have indirect or unexercised potential control over a contract employee.
Updating white-collar exemption
In other labor news, the Department of Labor (DOL) requested comments on its proposed rule to extend overtime protection to millions of white collar workers. A final rule is expected in 2016.
Currently the Fair Labor Standards Act requires a two-part test to exempt an employee from overtime pay. To qualify, the employee must earn $23,660/year and pass the “duties test” to determine if their job is “white collar.” The new proposal increases the salary threshold to $50,440/year with a built-in annual increase and requests feedback on the duties test in its current form.
Learn more about the DOL’s proposed changes to overtime pay eligibility and click here to submit comments by Sept. 4.
More from ARSA
Beyond Benevolence with FAA Youth Task Force
On Oct. 8, the FAA convened the fourth public meeting of the Youth Access to American Jobs in Aviation Task Force. The session followed the task force’s usual format: updates…Read MoreHotline Highlight – Much to Report
October 04, 2021 | Categories:
ARSA News & Updates
The hotline – ARSA’s premier member newsletter – contains news, editorial content, analysis and resources for the aviation maintenance community. All members should ensure they receive their edition the first week of…Read More
Anti-Viral Measures
September 29, 2021 | Categories:
Advocacy, ARSA Works, Aviation Policy, EASA, FAA, Featured Post, Legislative, Maintenance, Operations, Regulatory, Training
For the use of its members and the larger aviation community, ARSA is maintaining this page as a resource for virus-related updates on policy initiatives and business needs. Please bookmark…Read More
