U.S. Senate Vote Deals Blow to NTA Legislative Effort

September 12, 2003

U.S. Senate Vote Deals Blow to NTA Legislative Effort
The U.S. Senate voted 54-45 Tuesday to support the Harkin amendment, aimed at preventing the U.S. Department of Labor from updating Fair Labor Standards Act criteria dealing with employment classification.

NTA and other industry groups support changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act that would make it easier for employers to classify employees as exempt employees. NTA supports these changes because it would greatly clarify the working relationship between tour operators and tour directors.

The focus of the debate now shifts to a conference committee, which will be appointed shortly. NTA will continue to work on this issue and update members when events warrant.