(The TTD issued the following statement on April 8.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The following statement was issued today by Sonny Hall, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, in reaction to today’s 265-150 vote in the House of Representatives instructing the House-Senate conference committee on the 2003 supplemental appropriations legislation to adopt the Senate position extending and renewing jobless benefits for laid off airline industry workers.
“On behalf of the nation’s transportation workers, I am heartened by the bipartisan vote in support of extended unemployment benefits for laid off airline industry workers. Today Americans saw their government work for them, as Congress recognized the unique pain and suffering facing aviation workers who struggle to endure the most severe financial crisis in this industry’s history.
“The crisis facing the airline industry has a human face as real workers struggle to get by and provide for their families. Today’s House vote sends a clear message to House-Senate conferees that lawmakers want to help workers whose unemployment rate is 15 percent, or three times the national average.
“I thank Rep. David Obey and his colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their decisive action today, and urge the conference committee to heed the loud call of a bipartisan House and Senate.”
TTD represents 35 member unions in the aviation, rail, transit, trucking, highway, longshore, maritime and related industries. For more information, visit www.ttd.org