California Attorney General Rob Bonta led a coalition of 18 attorneys general in opposing a proposed Federal Aviation Administration rule that would preempt state labor laws protecting pilots and flight attendants, the office announced Friday.
The proposed federal rule would remove all protections for mid-shift meal and rest breaks, according to Bonta's office. The coalition argues the regulations would exceed the federal government's authority, undermine state laws enacted to ensure worker welfare, and contradict established judicial precedent.
"Our pilots and flight attendants are well-trained professionals who work hard to make air travel smooth and comfortable for passengers," Bonta said. "This proposal undermines California and other states' tireless work to ensure the well-being of this important workforce."
The coalition asked the FAA to withdraw the proposed rule and asserts that state meal and rest break laws promote worker welfare without undermining federal aviation safety. The group also argued that concerns about complying with a patchwork of state laws are overstated and that the FAA's reasoning could be applied in future cases to eliminate other worker protections.
The coalition includes attorneys general from Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington.