NCL urges Congress to strengthen consumer protections against aviation cyber incidents

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September 18, 2024

Media contact: National Consumers League – Melody Merin, melodym@nclnet.org, 202-207-2831

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, NCL Vice President John Breyault testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation. The hearing examined cybersecurity threats to the air travel industry and the impacts that these disruptions have on passengers. The Committee’s inquiry follows recent disruptive events in air travel stemming from digital vulnerabilities, such as last month’s cyberattack on Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and the mass outage attributed to a CrowdStrike update in July.  

“When cybersecurity incidents occur in the airline industry, consumers are often the ones who suffer most,” stated Breyault. “Flights are delayed or canceled, personal information is compromised, and families can find themselves stranded for days without recourse.” 

Despite the surge in digital threats targeting the aviation sector, key safeguards remain absent. In his testimony, Breyault urged Congress to take steps to reduce the risk of cyber incidents and to mitigate the harm to passengers when such mishaps occur. 

Specifically, NCL advocated for Congress to: 

  • Establish comprehensive data security standards to provide a baseline of protection for the data consumers routinely share when flying; 
  • Enact legal protections against hacking, fraud, and theft for the billions of dollars in airline rewards that consumers earn, store, and redeem each year; and 
  • Codify the U.S. Department of Transportation’s authority to implement delay compensation requirements for airlines, minimizing out-of-pocket costs for passengers needing food, drink, lodging, and alternative transportation during a flight disruption. 

Breyault’s full written testimony to the Senate Commerce Committee can be found here. 

More information on NCL’s recent work to protect the flying public can be found below. 

The Senate hearing can be viewed here.

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 About the National Consumers League (NCL) 

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

National Consumers League statement on DOT action in Alaska-Hawaiian merger review

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September 17, 2024

Media contact: National Consumers League – Melody Merin, melodym@nclnet.org, 202-207-2831

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL), America’s pioneering consumer and worker advocacy organization, today applauded the United States Department of Transportation’s (DOT) historic agreement with Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines to place enforceable public interest conditions on the merger. NCL has long called for DOT to exercise its authority more forcefully to police airline industry mergers.   

The following statement is attributable to John Breyault, National Consumer League Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud: 

 “After decades of unchecked mergers, four airlines together control over two-thirds of U.S. domestic air travel. Today’s action puts the airline industry on notice that under the Biden-Harris Administration, its days of scrutiny-free consolidation are over. Consumer protection agencies like the Federal Communications Commission have long used their merger review authority to place pro-consumer and pro-competition conditions on mergers. We welcome DOT taking steps to safeguard the frequent flyer miles that Alaska’s and Hawaiian’s rewards program members have built up. And we applaud DOT for ensuring that this merger does not endanger the critical air service that rural communities in Alaska and Hawaii depend on. We look forward to DOT continuing to use all the tools in its regulatory toolbox to protect and promote competition and fairness in the air travel marketplace.” 

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 About the National Consumers League (NCL) 

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

NCL among one of many organizations expressing concern for the growing catalytic converter theft problem

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August 29, 2024

Media contact: National Consumers League – Melody Merin, melodym@nclnet.org, 202-207-2831

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the National Consumers League (NCL), along with many other organizations representing a cross-section of industry and interested stakeholders, signed a letter to the chairs of both the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation expressing their strong support of an amendment to combat the growing national problem of catalytic converter theft. Catalytic converters are being stolen at increasingly high rates because they contain valuable metals, such as rhodium, platinum, and palladium.

NCL’s CEO Sally Greenberg recently shared her own catalytic converter theft experience in this blog post.

The letter to the committees can be found here.

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 About the National Consumers League (NCL) 

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

NCL mourns the passing of Congressman Bill Pascrell

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August 21, 2024

Media contact: National Consumers League – Melody Merin, melodym@nclnet.org, 202-207-2831

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell’s family shared publicly that Congressman Pascrell has passed away. Representative Pascrell has been a strong ally to the consumer movement. The National Consumers League (NCL) is grateful for his leadership over the years, particularly in the live events space. For over a decade, Congressman Pascrell was an unwavering champion of legislation to reform the ticket-buying experience for fans nationwide, standing up to corporate bullies like Live Nation/Ticketmaster.

NCL is deeply saddened by this loss and our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.

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 About the National Consumers League (NCL) 

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

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Family seating rules are a victory for passenger rights

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August 1, 2024

Media contact: National Consumers League – Melody Merin, melodym@nclnet.org, 202-207-2831

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) today applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for proposing long-sought rules requiring air carriers to seat families together at no additional cost. These rules are the culmination of more than a decade of advocacy by advocates, including NCL for common-sense family seating protections.

The following statement is attributable to Sally Greenberg, chief executive officer of the National Consumers League:

“This decision marks the end of the ‘parent tax’ that airlines have gotten away with charging hard-working American families for far too long. Thanks to these common-sense, pro-family rules, parents will soon no longer have to choose between paying a junk fee to sit with their kids or put their children and other passengers at risk by being separated from them in the air. We applaud the leadership shown by the Biden-Harris Administration, Secretary Buttigieg and pro-consumer champions in Congress who helped bring these rules to fruition. NCL looks forward to participating in the rulemaking process and getting these protections across the finish line.”

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 About the National Consumers League (NCL) 

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

NCL welcomes bill to curb child labor and other worker abuses

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July 31, 2024

Media contact: National Consumers League – Melody Merin, melodym@nclnet.org, 202-207-2831

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) applauds the July 26th introduction of legislation in the House of Representatives to increase fines for labor violations for workers, including child laborers and wage theft victims. Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), the ranking Democrat on the Education and Workforce Committee, introduced the Labor Enforcement to Securely (LET’S) Protect Workers Act, H.R. 9137, which currently has 14 cosponsors.

“‘The LET’S Protect Workers Act’ would deal a blow to unscrupulous employers who exploit workers,” said Sally Greenberg, chief executive officer of NCL. “This much-needed, comprehensive bill will help protect child workers, farmworkers, miners, and others at risk by increasing civil monetary penalties for labor abuses and unfair labor practices. NCL and the Child Labor Coalition, which NCL chairs, heartily endorse the legislation.”

“Unfortunately, shortcomings in our labor laws enable unethical employers to exploit workers, endanger children, and suppress the right to organize—with little accountability.” said Rep. Scott. “That’s why I’m proud to introduce the ‘LET’S Protect Workers Act,’ which will hold bad actors accountable and strengthen penalties for labor law violations. This bill will help level the playing field and, once again, restore the balance of power between workers and their employers,” said Rep. Scott.

The ‘LET’S Protect Workers Act,’ says Rep. Scott, will:

  • Increase civil penalties for violations of child labor, minimum wage and overtime, worker health and safety, and farmworker protection standards.
  • Improve mine safety and reliable funding of black lung benefits through new and increased civil monetary penalties and the option to shut down scofflaw operators.
  • Set new penalties for retaliation against workers who exercise their family and medical leave rights.
  • Strengthen enforcement of mental health parity requirements for employer-sponsored health plans.
  • Close a loophole that allows employers to escape penalties for failing to keep records of workplace injuries if OSHA does not detect the violation within six months.
  • Create new penalties for violations of the National Labor Relations Act, consistent with the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act.

“The ‘LET’S Protect Workers Act’ will increase maximum fines for child labor violations by a factor of ten—from the current $15,000 to a maximum of $150,000,” said Reid Maki, NCL’s director of Child Labor Advocacy. “This bill is a much-needed boost to the current law and will help to deter a range of troubling labor violations.”

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 About the National Consumers League (NCL) 

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

PBMs are driving the increase in out-of-pocket healthcare costs for consumers, says NCL

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July 23, 2024

Media contact: National Consumers League – Melody Merin, melodym@nclnet.org, 202-207-2831

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) today submitted a letter to both the Republican and Democratic chairs of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability expressing concerns about pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) driving the increase in out-of-pocket healthcare costs for American consumers. The letter was submitted just as the committee was conducting a hearing with top executives from Express Scripts, CVS Caremark, and Optum Rx.

The following statement is attributable to NCL’s Chief Executive Officer Sally Greenberg:

“We are concerned that these anti-consumer practices are putting the profits of insurance companies and their PBMs before patients, local pharmacies, employers, and state governments. Congress has an opportunity to review these corporate practices and work to ensure a reduced market power, thus minimizing the incentives for PBMs to steer patients towards higher-priced medicines, claim higher and higher rebates to fatten their bottom line, and ultimately driving independent pharmacies out of business.”

The full letter can be accessed here.

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About the National Consumers League (NCL) 

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

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NCL sues Washington Nationals over junk fees not disclosed in advertised prices

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July 17, 2024

Media contact: National Consumers League – Lisa McDonald, lisam@nclnet.org, 202-207-2829

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the National Consumers League (NCL) announced that it has sued the Washington Nationals on behalf of a class of affected consumers in the District of Columbia and beyond for violations of the D.C. Consumer Protection Procedures Act in connection with Nationals’ single-game ticket sales practices.

Consumers are entitled to truthful information from merchants, including information about prices. According to NCL’s complaint, the Nationals advertised deceptively low prices for their tickets by failing to disclose mandatory “ticket processing” fees that could increase ticket prices by more than 25%. The complaint explains that tickets the Nationals advertised on their website as “starting at $9” actually cost $11.25 once the mandatory “ticket processing fee” was added, and that in reality, the Nationals never intended to sell those tickets “starting at $9” on their official website.

Concealing fees of this sort – commonly known as “junk fees” – until late in the transaction is a misleading practice known as “drip pricing,” which frustrates and harms consumers, according to the complaint.

NCL’s complaint alleges that this has been a practice for the Nationals for years, and that these ticketing practices are misleading – and illegal under D.C. law. The D.C. Consumer Protection Procedures Act (CPPA), D.C. Code § 28-3901 et seq., provides a robust set of protections for consumers.  Among other things, it protects the basic right not to be misled about the price of goods and services being offered for sale.

“It’s disappointing that ticket sellers like the Nationals hide the real price of their tickets from consumers until so late in the process,” said Sally Greenberg, NCL’s chief executive officer. “The junk fees attached to the Nationals’ tickets are wrong, and they’re illegal.  We hope this lawsuit brings some much-needed reforms to the ticketing industry to help protect consumers from these abusive practices.”

NCL’s lawsuit seeks damages on behalf of the class of consumers as well as other relief.

Read the full complaint here.

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About the National Consumers League (NCL) 

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

Chaotic evacuation of American Airlines Flight 2045 shows urgent need for updated evacuation standards and minimum seat sizes

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July 17, 2024

Media contact: National Consumers League – Melody Merin, melodym@nclnet.org, 202-207-2831

WASHINGTON, DC – The evacuation of American Airlines Flight 2045 on July 12 at the San Francisco International Airport appears to have taken significantly longer to complete than the federal standard of 90 seconds. While only minor injuries have been reported, delays in the evacuation created an unacceptable risk of major injuries or death for the passengers and crew on board.

Such chaotic scenes again highlight the urgent need for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to update its emergency evacuation standards to reflect the modern flying environment.

The lengthy American Airlines evacuation was not an anomaly; evacuations over the past decade have consistently exceeded the FAA’s 90-second standard. Evacuation standards were last updated in 2005 and over the intervening 19 years, the in-cabin environment has evolved substantially. Despite these changes, the FAA has rejected or failed to act on 27 recommendations from the FAA Emergency Evacuation Standards Advisory Rulemaking Committee or those of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s own Inspector General. 

As a result, the American Economic Liberties Project, Consumer Action, Consumer Federation of America, FlyersRights, the National Consumers League, Travelers United, and U.S. PIRG are calling on the FAA to urgently address its antiquated safety regulations by:

Updating outdated evacuation standards. Current standards do not reflect the modern cabin environment and do not account for passengers of all ages and body types, record-high passenger load factors, the proliferation of personal electronic devices, the increased amount of carry-on baggage, or the cramped seating conditions of modern aircraft.

Establishing minimum passenger seat sizes. Despite receiving two mandates from Congress and over 26,100 public comments on the issue, the FAA still has not set minimum dimensions for airplane seats. The consistent shrinking of passenger seating has allowed carriers to increase the number of passengers in the aircraft without also increasing the number of exits. Additionally, the cramped seating poses a physical impediment to quick evacuation of the aircraft. 

“The FAA has the ability to reduce the risk of the chaos like what unfolded on Flight 2045,” said John Breyault, National Consumers League vice president of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud. “Passenger safety and a profitable airline industry are not mutually exclusive. For too long, however, the agency has allowed the airline industry’s concerns about its bottom line to stand in the way of creating standards that lead to a safer cabin environment. That has to stop.”

“The FAA is long overdue in updating its emergency evacuation training and procedures,” said William J. McGee, senior fellow for Aviation & Travel at American Economic Liberties Project. “In recent years we’ve gotten very lucky, as numerous potentially deadly evacuations far exceeded the FAA’s own 90-second timeline. It’s time to rely on proven standards rather than luck.”

“This serves as another example of why the FAA must look at this issue with the importance it deserves,” said Teresa Murray, consumer watchdog director, U.S. PIRG. “The recent evacuation tests relied on ‘able-bodied adult subjects under 60,’ the FAA acknowledged in 2022. We all know this doesn’t reflect modern travel — planes filled with children, senior citizens, people with disabilities and people who are heavy. This issue must be prioritized before we have a tragedy.”

“Emergency landings and emergency evacuations occur several hundred times annually often due to smoke or fire in the cabin. The latest incident showed confusion and panic after a fire erupted in the rear of the plane,” said FlyersRights President Paul Hudson. “Needed improvements were recommended unanimously by the FAA Emergency Evacuation Advisory Rulemaking Committee in 2020. But it is up to FAA Administrator Whitaker to take action, without further delay.”

“This terrifying event is a stark reminder to the FAA to move forward with updated, safer evacuation standards and seating dimensions that reflect current air travel conditions,” said Erin Witte, director of consumer protection at Consumer Federation of America. “We urge the FAA to take the opportunity provided by Congress in the Reauthorization Act to publicly commit to addressing these issues.”

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About the National Consumers League (NCL) 

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

NCL statement on FTC interim report on PBMs

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July 10, 2024

Media contact: National Consumers League – Melody Merin, melodym@nclnet.org, 202-207-2831

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) today applauds the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) interim staff report on prescription drug middlemen, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The report details how PBMs profit at the expense of patients, inflating drug costs and squeezing Main Street pharmacies.

The following statement is attributable to NCL’s Robin Strongin, Senior Director of Health Policy:

“The FTC’s continued investigation into PBMs, and this latest report, shows promising momentum in addressing the high out-of-pocket costs of medicines consumers face. Countless investigations such as this, as well as news coverage, patient stories, and pharmacy closures across the country, prove again and again that PBMs are doing more harm than good. As the report shows, the vertical integration of PBMs has allowed them to rake in profits at the expense of patients and independent pharmacies.

“That said, we also recognize that this interim report and its findings don’t go far enough. It’s well past time to examine and address the overall corporatization of health care, including the vertical integration of the industry. In the current set-up, the biggest winners are the health insurance corporations that own PBMs, doctors, pharmacies and more. The biggest losers? Consumers.

“While NCL is encouraged that the FTC is working to hold PBMs accountable, we also encourage the need for meaningful reform that helps and doesn’t harm consumers.”

The full report can be accessed here.

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 About the National Consumers League (NCL) 

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.