AWF Urges Vote Against FAA Reauthorization
Click here to read the official letter
September 19, 2007
|
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi |
The Honorable Steny Hoyer Majority Leader U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20510 |
| The Honorable John Boehner Republican Leader U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20510 |
The Honorable James Oberstar, Chairman House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20510 |
On behalf of the Alliance for Worker Freedom (AWF), and the American worker, I am urging you to oppose H.R. 2881, the “FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007”, specifically Section 601, which is slated to head to the floor of the U.S. House this week. This misguided bill would take away the ability of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to resolve its current labor dispute with the air traffic controllers union in a timely manner. This costly bill, which is little more than a “give-away” to corrupt labor unions, is further evidence of legislation which attempts to define and control the labor market.
Specifically, Section 601 of H.R. 2881 would overturn a contract implemented last year by the FAA with the National Air Traffic Controllers union (NATCA), and re-impose an egregiously costly agreement reached during the pro-union Clinton years in 1998. Section 601 reinstates both controller and multi-unit NATCA contracts and provides $20 million in back pay and benefits to July 2005.
This bill is expensive, a concession to Big Labor, and divisive – mandating a 45 day negotiation on a 2006 contract, binding arbitration and removal of Congressional Budget and Appropriations oversight. With the average air traffic controller making $171,100 in pay and benefits, Congress doesn’t need to stack the deck in the union’s favor by using special rules and gimmicks. The Alliance for Worker Freedom (AWF) opposes any and all measures that limit and interfere with the FAA’s ability to effectively manage its workforce.
Once again I am urging you to oppose H.R. 2881 as legislation should never attempt to define the labor market and determine “winners and losers” as this bill clearly does. President Reagan knew back in 1981 that the controllers’ union was holding air traffic hostage with labor gimmicks—do our leaders today?
Sincerely,
Brian M Johnson,
Director of Policy
cc: All Members of the U.S. House of Representatives
