By Chase Holmes, News Reporter
TRUSSVILLE — Urban Air Trussville was found to be in violation of child labor laws according to the U.S. Department of Labor on Monday, Nov. 13.
According to the investigation, the indoor adventure park allowed 36 minor-aged employees, under 16 years old, to work after 7 p.m. on a school night, after 9 p.m. in the summer, more than 3 hours on school days and more than 18 hours a week during a school week, all violations of the child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
The adventure park list a Birmingham address but operates as Urban Air Trussville. It is located across from Belk at The Pinnacle shopping mall.
The adventure park was fined a civil money penalty of $28,476 to address the issues. One worker was also owed $145 in back wages in violation of overtime provisions.
“The significant increase in child labor violations nationwide is troubling,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Kenneth Stripling in Birmingham. “Here in the Southeast and across the nation, the Department of Labor is committed to making sure young workers can experience the world of work without jeopardizing their safety or education by enforcing the laws that protect them.”
Urban Air Trussville was contacted about the findings but did not return our request for a comment in time for publication.