The U. S. Department of Labor (DOL) on March 28, 2003, released proposed rule changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) for public comment.
During this time period the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and the Allied Pilots Association (APA), in separate but distinct comments, outlined their respective positions opposing any change in the department’s August 4, 2000, Administrative Review Board ruling on the non-exempt status of pilots, under the Service Contract Act. ALPA and APA’s official comments were submitted to DOL, on June 27, 2003.
Despite fierce political controversy, accompanied by a vigorous debate in the U.S. Congress and the media on April 20, 2004, the DOL announced its final regulations governing overtime eligibility for "white collar" workers pursuant to the FLSA. The DOL also unveiled a new website, titled "FairPay" (found at www.dol.gov/esa/regs/compliance/whd/fairpay/main.htm), to help explain the changes. The full text of the regulations
