FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Michael Buckley
202/628-9262
Threats to National and Economic Security Prompt Bipartisan Action
Washington, D.C. – The following statement was issued today by Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), on the House Appropriations Committee directing the Bush administration, for 120 days, to not carry out its plan to allow foreign interests to control U.S. airlines:
“Today’s move by the House Appropriations Committee is the latest indication of the growing bipartisan opposition to foreign control of U.S. airlines.
“Both Republicans and Democrats understand the severe implications of allowing foreign interests to decide whether or not a U.S. airline helps transport U.S. troops and equipment under the CRAF program in time of war, what country our airlines purchase their aircraft from, and whether aircraft flown by Americans are maintained here or overseas where safety and security standards may be lax.
“This issue certainly has a familiar refrain to it. As with the debate over a United Arab Emirates company running major U.S. ports, the Bush administration has shown a careless disregard toward protecting our homeland security and our nation’s vital assets. This is yet another example of globalization run amok.
“We urge the Bush administration to heed the bipartisan concerns of Congress and withdraw this fundamentally flawed proposal.”
TTD represents 30 member unions in the aviation, rail, transit, trucking, highway, longshore, maritime and related industries. For more information, visit www.ttd.org
House Panel Rebuffs Bush Plan Allowing Foreign Control of U.S. Airlines