Alaska — A federal judge in Alaska has ruled that pilots are entitled to overtime pay when they work more than 40 hours a week. The pilots filed a lawsuit for unpaid overtime pay by their employer. They allege in the lawsuit that they are “covered” employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and therefore required by law to be paid overtime wages.
The employer contended that the pilots were learned professionals, a category that would make them exempt from the FLSA and not entitled to overtime pay. This exemption is typically used for professionals like doctors, lawyers, accountants, and others with similar credentials. Those professionals do not have to be paid at time and half their normal rate of pay for work in excess of 40 hours per week.
The case was set for jury trial but the sides are now trying to calculate the amount of unpaid wages to see if the matter can be settled before trial. This case will have implications on a number of industries in the United States that employ any type of pilot, including helicopter pilots. Pilots who work in excess of 40 hours per week and are not paid overtime wages should contact us today to learn more about their legal rights. In many cases, a claim for past due wages can be made for up to two years in the past so it is important to contact a qualified attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case.