(The TTD distributed the following statement.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The following statement was issued today by Sonny Hall, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), in sharp criticism of the Federal Aviation Administration’s delay in implementing new regulations overseeing maintenance of U.S. aircraft both here and abroad.
“The Bush Administration this week granted yet another wish to business lobbyists. This time it was the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in response to an industry petition, extending key deadlines for compliance with new aircraft maintenance regulations, including those governing repair work performed on U.S. aircraft in FAA-certified facilities abroad. The FAA even pushed back employee training mandates to October 2005.
“At a time when the nation faces mounting security threats and when air carriers face growing pressure to cuts costs AFL-CIO transportation unions condemn this senseless move.
“Since 1988, when the Reagan Administration watered down repair station safety regulations, AFL-CIO mechanics unions — led by the International Association of Machinists, the Transport Workers Union and the Teamsters — have demanded greater federal supervision of aircraft repair, particularly that performed on U.S. aircraft at foreign repair facilities. The labor movement has long urged that the price to pay for a foreign facility obtaining the FAA seal of approval be complete compliance with all U.S. regulatory requirements imposed on domestic facilities and their workers. While the most recent rules, released in August 2001 but drafted by the Clinton Administration, did not meet this standard, they made other improvements in aircraft repair station safety advocated by AFL-CIO mechanics.
“It is disturbing that the FAA s announcement said that seeking public comment on the delay is ‘impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to the public interest.’ And then to read an industry newsletter quoting a trade group leader declaring that ‘any delay is great,’ makes you wonder just who in Washington is protecting the traveling public.
“In 2001 Northwest Airlines secured the right to send up to 40 percent of its repair work — and thousands of jobs — overseas. We must not permit an acceleration of this trend as the nation s air carriers may see outsourcing of maintenance as a tempting way to cut costs even further. The FAA must reverse this ill advised decision and stop delaying these important rules.”