AWF Opposes FAA Re-Authorization
Today, AWF sent the below letter to all members of the U.S. House of Representatives urging them to oppose the costly labor provisions in H.R. 915, the FAA ReAuthorization Bill that could cost 300,000 jobs.
21 May 2009
Dear Congressman:
On behalf of the Alliance for Worker Freedom (AWF) and millions of American workers, I ask urge to oppose the labor provisions in the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2009 (H.R. 915).
The first of many concerns is Section 303, “Inspection of Foreign Repair Stations.” This section was not revised, despite warnings from the European Union (EU) that its language will cause the collapse of the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) between the U.S. and the EU. If there ever is such a collapse, 120,000 jobs at European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) will be threatened.
Additionally, H.R. 915 directs the FAA to conduct biannual inspections on all foreign repair stations. This provision does not consider bilateral safety agreements, but asks for foreign retaliation, which would threaten 130,000 U.S. jobs. The foreign repair station provision will affect safety oversight by stretching FAA’s already limited resources and diverting its focus away from locations where safety is most at risk.
Moreover, Section 310 “Use of Non-certificated Maintenance Providers” was not amended. Section 310 undermines aviation operations, as it is presently written. It does not allow use of an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to perform work. Therefore, there is no possibility to use OEM key functions because they are available nowhere else.
Finally, H.R. 915 promises to cause further job losses in American aviation. This provision invalidates antitrust immunity grants to airline alliances three years after the enactment of H.R. 915. The provision also threatens 15,000 American jobs and puts U.S. air carrier competition at risk.
For the above reasons and more, I urge you to oppose H.R. 915, as it clearly attempts to define labor in the aviation industry.
Sincerely,
Brian M. Johnson, MPA
Executive Director
Cc: All Members of the U.S. House of Representatives
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