California Family Rights Act: flight crews.
This bill is expected to have a significant impact on state labor laws by providing enhanced protections for airline employees. The amendments will specifically adjust the 1,250 hours of service requirement for flight crew employees, thus allowing many more crew members to qualify for family care leave. By implementing these changes, the law acknowledges the unique work schedules of flight crew workers and aims to ensure that they have better access to necessary family leave without being penalized for their atypical working hours.
Assembly Bill 1748, introduced by Assemblymember Bonta, aims to amend the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) specifically for airline flight crew members. Currently, the CFRA allows employees to request up to 12 weeks of unpaid protected leave to bond with a new child or care for themselves or a family member. AB 1748 modifies the eligibility requirements for flight deck and cabin crew members, aligning them more closely with the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), thereby providing clearer regulations for airline workers seeking leave.
The general sentiment around AB 1748 has been supportive among flight crew advocacy groups and labor organizations, as it directly addresses the specific needs and challenges faced by airline workers. However, there may be opposition from some employers concerned about the potential increase in operational burdens and costs associated with managing leave requests under the new guidelines. Overall, the legislation is seen as a positive step towards better aligning state laws with federal standards and recognizing the hard work of flight crews.
Notably, there were discussions surrounding the balance between employer needs and employee rights. Some stakeholders have raised questions about the feasibility of applying the same standards to flight crew members as to traditional office workers, given the unpredictable nature of their work. Additionally, while on one hand, this bill enhances protections, it has sparked debate on whether it could indirectly lead to hiring hesitancies among airlines or increased workplace strain under new leave regulations.