WASHINGTON — Greg Regan and Shari Semelsberger, President and Secretary-Treasurer of the Transportation Trades Department (TTD) of the AFL-CIO, issued this statement in support of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) final rule requiring employees at foreign air repair stations to be held to the same drug and alcohol testing standards as U.S. aviation maintenance personnel:
“As the nation’s largest transportation labor federation, representing hundreds of thousands of aviation workers, we are invested in upholding America’s gold standard for commercial aviation safety.
“For too long, foreign mechanics working on U.S. aircraft have been exempt from the extensive drug and alcohol testing that domestic workers undergo. Aviation labor unions have long called for equal standards for foreign and domestic aviation workers.
“Just last week, I testified to Congress that this is one of the most troubling remaining loopholes in the regulation of aircraft maintenance, and called for the rule to be finalized.
“Now, we welcome this final rule from the Biden-Harris Administration to eliminate an unnecessary safety risk and uphold stronger standards that bring peace of mind to the flying public.
“To ensure that aviation remains the safest transportation industry, the FAA must enforce consistent standards here and abroad. We appreciate the agency taking this crucial step in setting this strong benchmark for safety in our skies.”
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