[News Release] TWU Joins Partnership for Open and Fair Skies
Published 09 Apr, 2015
Statement Issued by the Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2015
TWU JOINS PARTNERSHIP FOR OPEN AND FAIR SKIES
Union calls for freeze on further expansion of Gulf carriers in U.S. and government-to-government consultations to address concerns
Washington, D.C. — The Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO, announced today that it has joined the Partnership for Open and Fair Skies, which seeks to restore a level playing field under the Open Skies agreements with Qatar and the UAE.
“State-owned carriers Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Emirates have taken advantage of more than $42 billion worth of unfair government subsidies in just the last 10 years. And they are using these subsidies to flood U.S. airspace — threatening U.S. companies and American aviation jobs,” said TWU International President Harry Lombardo. “In light of these revelations, TWU is proud to join the Partnership for Open and Fair Skies, uniting with airlines and allied labor organizations in the call for immediate action to address this concern.”
Members of the Partnership for Open and Fair Skies are calling for the U.S. government to begin consultations under the two agreements to address the flow of subsidized Gulf carrier capacity to the United States. They are also requesting that the U.S. government place a freeze on new passenger service until the issue has been addressed.
TWU joins an already strong labor presence in the coalition, which includes the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l; Allied Pilots Association; Airline Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters; Association of Flight Attendants-CWA; Association of Professional Flight Attendants and Communications Workers of America. The coalition also includes the three major U.S. carriers, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.
The Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) represents 200,000 workers and retirees in commercial aviation, public transportation and passenger railroads. The union is an affiliate of the AFL-CIO.
Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO
501 3rd St NW / Floor 9 / Washington, D.C. 20001
Tel: 202.719.3900 / www.twu.org
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