Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

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PRINCETON, NJ -- The U.S. Labor Department has fined Princeton Airport Corporation $18,700 for violating the youth employment provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

An investigation by the department’s Wage and Hour Division determined that the airport illegally employed a 14-year-old as a trainee mechanic apprentice. The minor worked without pay, servicing planes in the airport hanger in excess of eight hours per day, often earlier than 7 a.m. The airport did not maintain records of the minor’s work hours.

On Feb. 1, 2005, the minor sustained second- and third-degree burns from an accident that occurred during a routine plane inspection.

“This accident is an unfortunate example of what can happen when minors are engaged in unlawful employment” said Dominick Denato, district director for the southern New Jersey office of the Wage and Hour Division. “Employers have a responsibility to know when and where minors can work to ensure their safety.”

The airport has ageed to pay $345 in back wages to the minor and to comply with all provisions of the law in the future but has appealed the fine and requested a hearing.

The FLSA prohibits 14-year-olds from performing job duties in and around hangers, runways or places where power-driven equipment designed for transportation is repaired, cleaned or serviced. Hours are also restricted for workers under age 16. Fourteen- and 15-year-olds may work outside school hours, but not before 7 a.m. and not later then 7 p.m. (9 p.m. from June 1 until Labor Day). They may not work more than three hours on a school day or more than 18 hours in a school week. They are allowed to work up to eight hours on a non-school day and 40 hours in a non-school week.

In May 2002, Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao launched YouthRules!, a public awareness campaign to educate young workers, parents and employers about the jobs that young people can perform and hours they can work. Information about the campaign and the youth employment provisions are available on the Internet at www.youthrules.dol.gov. For additional information about FLSA provisions, call the Department of Labor’s toll-free help line at 1-866-4USWAGE or visit www.wagehour.dol.gov.

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