For Immediate Release
For Further Information Contact
TTD- AFL- CIO
202.628.9262
WASHINGTON, DC — The following statement was issued today by Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), regarding the action taken by Congress – in acquiescence to Administration demands – to drop language from the supplemental appropriations to prevent foreign control of U. S. airlines:
“We are outraged that the heavy hand of this Administration has undermined the role of Congress in safeguarding our national security and aviation industry.
“Both the House and Senate made strong individual statements in opposition to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) proposal to allow foreign interests to control U.S. airlines. Congress correctly saw the Administration’s proposal as a threat to national security including the CRAF program, safety, and the jobs and rights of thousands of workers. But due to Administration pressure, Conferees allowed the language to be dropped at the 11th hour just weeks after both the Senate and House had worked its will.
“This foreign control proposal has always been a give-away to the European Union as part of the Administration’s push to finalize a U.S.-EU open skies pact. It is clear to America’s transportation workers that the DOT and the State Department are advancing the EU’s agenda at the expense of American interests.
“This proposal will lead to the loss of desirable pilot positions, outsourcing of flight attendant jobs, and the loss of even more high skilled mechanics jobs as more and more aircraft maintenance work will be sent overseas. This is hardly a recipe for a strong U.S. aviation industry. Members of Congress should reject Administration bully tactics and instead complete the job they started in the supplemental appropriations bill. The Administration’s zeal to placate foreign governments should not dictate U.S. aviation policy to the detriment of our workers, economy and national security.”
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About TTD
Transportation Trades Department- AFL- CIO (TTD), a Washington, D.C. based labor organization, represents several million transportation workers in the private and public sector. The 31 member unions of TTD work in aviation, bus, mass transit, rail, trucking, highway, long shore, maritime and related industries. TTD works with Congress and the Executive Branch including the transportation related Federal Agencies to protect good jobs, increase wages, defend workers’ rights, increase transportation safety plus security and ensure adequate funding for our nation’s transportation infrastructure. Under the umbrella of the AFL-CIO, which represents more than 9 million workers in the United States, TTD handles policy and legislative issues related to transportation. Visit www.ttd.org for more information.
Administration Forces Senate, House to Drop Language Barring Foreign Control of U.S. Airlines