The Railway Labor Act does not determine how pilots are classified regarding salary versus hourly. The reason Columbia decided to classify their pilots as hourly is probably due to a recent Supreme Court case (New Jersey) which ruled that helicopter pilots are not exempt from overtime; ergo they are hourly employees. Several States, such as California (CJSAG) have ruled the same way.

The fact is that most pilot groups we have worked with have had the viewpoint that they want to be classified as hourly so that they can receive overtime pay. The vast majority of them work a lot of overtime and do not receive any additional monies for working it if they are classified as exempt employees. Here is how our contract at Rucker is written.... Keep in mind we are considered hourly employees.

B.2 Salary Level

a. Each salary level shall be based on seniority in accordance with individual's date of hire, as applicable, based on the following criteria:

(1) Level 1 - Day 1 through 4 months.

(2) Level 2 - More than 4 months through 12 months.

(3) Level 3 - More than 12 months through 24 months.

(4) Level 4 - More than 24 months through 39 months.

(5) Level 5 - More than 39 months through 57 months.

(6) Level 6 - More than 57 months through 74 months.

(7) Level 7 - Seventy-five months or more.

b. Employees will progress from one salary level to the next on the first pay period following their level progression date based on date of hire or adjusted date of hire whichever is applicable.

c. Adjustment to date of hire will be in accordance with the definition found in Appendix H of this Agreement.


a. Daily overtime shall be paid at the rate of one and one-half (1 1/2) times the normal daily pay and shall be computed as follows: Current daily salary divided by six and one half (6 1/2) for flight personnel, six and one half (6 1/2) for academic personnel and by eight (8) for non-flight personnel.


B-4
b. Daily overtime shall be paid for all hours worked over six and one-half (6 1/2) for flight personnel except those identified in paragraph B.6c which will be seven (7) hours. Overtime for academic personnel will be paid for all hours worked over seven (7) and non-flight personnel will be paid for all hours worked over eight (8). Overtime periods of less then one hour will be in accordance with the provisions of paragraph B.4e below.

c. Weekend overtime pay for Saturdays will be at one and one-half times the normal daily pay. Sundays and Federal holidays will be two (2) times the normal daily pay.
d. Any student training required by the company that will require an employee to work a shift in addition to his normal shift will be paid at a rate of one and one-half (1 1/2) times the normal daily rate for the additional shift.

e. Daily overtime pay for less than one (1) hour shall be paid as follows:

0 to 30 minutes - one-half (1/2) hour