ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcies, new FAA flight, duty and rest rules, NMB rule changes, and the on-going abuse of FMLA and other types of leave: The labor and employment obstacles airlines and related companies encounter today are more numerous than ever before. Ford & Harrison and our clients in the airline industry are working together to navigate through these challenging times and chart a course for the future. The 2012 Airline Labor and Employment Law Symposium is designed to help you maneuver through the complexities of these issues and others in order to avoid the disturbances in employee and labor relations that can negatively impact your operation.
Thursday, May 3rd
9:30am – 10:30am | Registration and Legal Information Center
Stop by our Legal Information Center, where attorneys who specialize in employee benefits, immigration, and federal contracts/affirmative action will be available to answer your questions and provide information regarding these complex and challenging areas of the law. In addition, F&H Solutions Group Consultants will be available to discuss their areas of expertise, including employee investigations, diversity and FMLA administration.
10:30am – 12:00pm | Breakout Sessions
Reaching Rational Deals in an Irrational Environment: Strategies for reaching agreements amid a diverse and complex range of challenges impacting management at today's bargaining table, including bankruptcy, corporate transactions, labor's expectations and intense industry competition.
California Legal Update: Join Ford & Harrison California-based attorneys for an employment-law briefing on new California legal requirements, common pitfalls for California employers, and recent significant California employment cases within the airline industry.
12:00pm – 1:45pm | Luncheon/Keynote Speaker
Keynote Speaker: Ben Baldanza, President and CEO of Spirit Airlines: With over 25 years of airline-related experience, Mr. Baldanza is known as an industry innovator. Since 2005, he has guided Spirit Airlines, known for its "Ultra Low Cost Carrier" model and cutting-edge marketing. He will discuss his perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing Spirit and the industry.
2:00pm - 3:30pm | Breakout Sessions
Collision Avoidance – You Be The Judge: Whistleblower complaints in the airline industry are on the rise and expose carriers to increasing liability. Ford & Harrison litigators will present a scenario based on an actual case involving an airline employee who filed whistleblower complaints under AIR21 and state law. The audience will be the judge and will leave this session with a valuable new perspective on the risks inherent in these situations.
Investigations, Discipline, Grievance Mediation and Arbitration: Best practices for conducting investigations, drafting and imposing discipline, and preparing for grievance mediation and arbitrations.
4:00pm - 5:30pm
Turning Obstacles into Opportunities in Airline Mergers and Acquisitions: A panel of industry executives will discuss strategies for navigating through the challenges associated with an operational merger and creating a new culture, and the lessons learned during the process.
5:30pm | Cocktail Reception and Dinner
Friday, May 4th
8:00am – 9:00am | Breakfast
9:00am – 10:30am | Breakout Sessions
RLA Election Issues & the NMB's Recent Treatment of Allegations of Carrier Interference: Discussion involving new issues in RLA elections since the historic change in the NMB's voting procedures and the NMB's recent treatment of allegations of election interference.
Practical Strategies for Curbing Leave Abuse and Controlling Attendance Issues: Absenteeism and leave abuse are pervasive and increasing problems in the industry. This session will offer practical strategies for combating FMLA and similar leave abuse and controlling attendance issues, including an analysis of the interplay of collective bargaining restrictions and the FMLA.
11:00am – 12:30pm
Maneuvering Through the Complexities of Change - A Regulatory Update: This diverse panel will discuss important regulatory changes affecting the industry and provide practical advice to ensure compliance and minimize negative impacts to the operation. Join Scott Foose of the Regional Airline Association, Jeff Carlson of Atlas Air, Rob Delucia of Airlines for America, and Ford & Harrison attorneys for a discussion including:
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The new FAA flight, duty, and rest rules.
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The new FMLA crewmember NPRM.
12:30pm | Adjourn
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Continuing Education
Continuing legal education credit has been applied for in multiple states. If you are a Certified Human Resources Professional, credit toward GPHR, PHR and SPHR recertification has been applied for with the Human Resources Certification Institute.
Hotel Accommodations
Hotel rooms are available at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead for a reduced rate of $155/night. For reservations, call 1-800-542-8680 and reference Ford & Harrison or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/buckhead and use the group code FRHFRHA.
Cancellations
Cancellations after April 26, 2012 will forfeit one-half of the registration fee.
Attire
Attire for the symposium is business casual.
Miscellaneous
Boxed lunches will be available after the closing sessions.
Registration
The registration fee is $195 for clients and $245 for non-clients. We offer a discount for multiple attendees from the same airline - $195/$245 for first attendee and $145/$195 for each additional attendee. This covers attendance at the symposium and all materials and meals. Advance registration is required as space is limited - please click below to register.