Additional Staff for Air Traffic Control

A recent audit done by the Department of Transportation at the fourth busiest airport in the country revealed that the Federal Aviation Administration would need to add more experienced air traffic controllers among its ranks.

The audit showed that the number of fully certified air traffic controllers for Los Angeles International Airport and the Southern and Northern California TRACON has dropped by at least 8% over the last decade.

The DOT’s inspector general also recommended that the FAA improve financial incentives to keep tenured air traffic controllers, provide sufficient instructors to new employees and face an unprecedented increase in overtime payments.

Establishing better financial incentives would not only keep experienced employees on their jobs but it would also attract the attention of qualified air traffic controllers who have previously turned down jobs at LAX and TRACON because of the wages that they would lose.

Normally, one would not give a care about how many people are employed by a Federal agency but the bottom line of this audit is to ensure the safety of the public as well as the efficiency of the service being provided.

For frequent travelers, these recommendations would result to fewer delays with their flights as well as less hassle when it comes to landing or departure procedures.

To the greater public, having less certified air traffic controllers would mean airport accidents would have a higher chance of happening and a higher incidence rate is what the FAA should avoid to maintain its efficiency and integrity.

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California’s Wage Laws Protects Workers

The government ensures that workers are getting the benefit they deserve by imposing employment laws that provide them protection and just compensation.

Workers dedicate their skills and ideas to companies which keep it on track its operations. Without these employees, it is impossible for large companies to still provide services and operate for its customers.

So, it is only right for employees to be given rightful amount of compensation for their hard work.

However, a recent incident involving a business owner who refuses to pay his workers the imposed minimum wage and does not provide them with overtime pays. The employees alerted the authorities of their situation but were threatened with termination by their employer.

Under the law, an individual who exposes the wrongdoings or any illegal activities of his/her company cannot be retaliated against. He/she cannot be terminated, demoted, or transferred for the legal actions that might greatly affect their employers.

This incident is just one of the many ongoing employment disputes involving the unfair treatment of workers. Those who are experiencing a similar situation should immediately notify the respective agencies and an employment expert who can guide them through their ordeal.

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Public Faces another Salmonella Scare – from Spices

Companies should guarantee the safety and high standards of their product before it is to be put out on market. This would prevent consumers from any incident such as defective products.

The California-based Union International Food Company recently announced its recalls of some of its products because of salmonella contamination.

Reports earlier indicated that there were 33 individuals from California who have been victims of salmonella food poisoning from spices such as black and white pepper manufactured by Union International. No deaths have been reported from the said contamination.

The California Department of Public Health has warned individuals and restaurant owners who have purchased other products of Union International that might also be contaminated with salmonella bacteria.

Other products include black, white, and cayenne peppers, powdered and chopped onions, curry, wasabi, and mustard powder, paprika, and garlic.

The said salmonella contamination on spices has followed a pistachio-related scare manufactured by a company which is also based in California.

These outbreaks could have been prevented with stricter implementation of safety and health standards. Also, the state should be able to monitor and make sure that companies would follow procedures that would ensure their products are safe for people’s consumption.

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Starbucks Ordered to Pay Back Tips

Restaurants and hospitality industries entirely depend on their patrons for existence. On the employees part, their salary and accumulated tips depend on their overall performance towards their customers.

Surprisingly, California courts heard and tried cases not only involving wage issues but also suits regarding tips.

Under the California labor law, managers and supervisors are prohibited from sharing in employee tips. In fact, in the case of Chou v. Starbucks, a San Diego Superior Court judge ruled that the company violated Business and Professions Code section 17200 when it allowed its shift supervisors to share in the proceeds of the baristas’ tip jar. Consequently, Starbucks was ordered to pay $106 million in back tips.

While tipped employees may not be forced to share their tips to those who do not regularly receive tips, bellhops, waiters, counter personnel serving customers and service bartenders are among those who should be receiving tips.

The Starbucks case is another victory for the baristas. This only goes to show that when the law mandates something, it shall be done. Otherwise, violators may face an employment suit.

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Product Recall Continues

From car shoes to play yards, from pacifiers to cribs, from baby toys to high chairs, name it, all have been the subject of recall. Surprisingly, product recall is becoming a trend.

Recently, Evenflo Co. voluntarily recalled its high chairs after receiving 320 accident reports. More than 600,000 Evenflo Envision high chairs were recalled due to seat back falling backwards or detaching suddenly. The company also received complaints of loosening recline fasteners and screws on the sides of the chair.

Evenflo Co. followed Fisher Prices’ recall of its 3-in-1 chairs in March because of its seat falling back while the child is still seated.

Also this month, Lakeshore Learning Materials recalled about 4,000 Children’s Toy Boxes because the head of a stuffed butterfly toy can fall off, creating a choking hazard.

These incidents were just the latest in a series of recalls involving products for children.

Companies whose products undergone recall process advised consumers to stop using them. They promised to fix the defect for free. However, this move is not commensurate to the injuries already sustained by thousands of victims.

Victims of defective products may however pursue a product liability suit against the manufacturers. A product liability lawyer should be actively involved in the case to ensure success.

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