This Week in NATCA/Labor History
Monday, August 22, 2011


THIS WEEK IN NATCA HISTORY:

August 24, 1992 — Hurricane Andrew: In its sweep through southern Florida, the hurricane forces Miami International, Fort Lauderdale Executive, West Palm Beach, Tamiami and Key West airports to temporarily close. The storm destroys or damages the homes of 144 agency employees. Numerous controllers and other FAA workers rally to provide food and shelter relief.

August 23, 2000 — NATCA organizing: The FLRA certifies NATCA as the exclusive bargaining representative for the FAA’s occupational health specialists, occupational health nurses and medical program assistants.


THIS WEEK IN LABOR HISTORY:

1920: After three-quarters of the states had ratified the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, women win their long struggle for the vote.

1945: Five flight attendants form the Air Line Stewardesses Association, the first labor union representing flight attendants. They were reacting to an industry in which women were forced to retire at the age of 32, remain single, and adhere to strict weight, height and appearance requirements. The association later became the Association of Flight Attendants, now a division of the Communications Workers of America.

2000: After 20 months of bargaining, United Airlines reaches a tentative accord with the Air Line Pilots Association, representing 10,000 pilots.

2004: The U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act is modified, setting the minimum salary for exemption from overtime at $455 per week, or $23,600 per year. Employees earning less than that are now guaranteed overtime, regardless of whether they are hourly or salaried.