NATA is appealing to members to weigh in on a U.S. Department of Labor proposal that will update salary and compensation levels for workers entitled to minimum wage and overtime pay protections. Last updated in 2004, current regulations require employers to pay eligible employees overtime (time-and-a-half) for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week. Eligible workers covered by these regulations make $23,660 or less per year, under current regulations. The proposal would more than double the threshold to cover workers that make $50,440 or less per year, NATA noted. 

The proposal affects employees covered under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). But it would not affect air carrier employees (defined as certain pilots, flight engineers, mechanics and service engineers), which already are subject to the Railway Labor Act.

“NATA would like to provide the Department of Labor with the perspective of aviation businesses by gathering specific examples of how your business will be impacted by changes to the current rule,” the association tells members. NATA noted the rule stems from a White House directive to update regulations to reflect the intent of the FLSA. But NATA also notes that a national business organization is expressing concerns that the rule could increase costs and record-keeping burdens.