Published 23 Mar, 2016
In a letter sent to the Senate committee considering the FAA reauthorization bill, TWU International President Harry Lombardo called on Congress to tighten oversight of foreign repair stations working on U.S. commercial aircraft.
“Under current regulations,” the letter said, “Aircraft mechanics working in the U.S. are subject to various drug and alcohol screening to ensure their ability to perform safety-sensitive repairs. Yet employees working at repair stations located abroad are exempt from this requirement despite the fact that they work on the same U.S. aircraft and at repair stations certified by the FAA.”
The letter, sent jointly with the International Association of Machinists, was addressed to the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.
“We have long argued that a country’s domestic laws should not be used as a shield to prevent the application of safety and security rules on aircraft repair stations. The FAA certification system should ensure parity in oversight of all aircraft repair stations, regardless of their location, the union leaders concluded.” [Read the full letter]
TWU will continue to monitor this issue as the FAA bill moves through Congress.