For Immediate Release
For Further Information Contact
TTD, AFL-CIO
202.628.9262 (w)
Joins Full House in Repudiating Administration Plan
WASHINGTON, DC — The following statement was issued today by Edward Wytkind, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), regarding the Senate Appropriations Committee’s 19-6 vote on the Inouye-Dorgan-Specter Amendment to prevent the Administration from finalizing or implementing a rule to allow foreign interests to control U.S. airlines:
“What part of NO does the Bush Administration not understand?
“The Senate Appropriations Committee today joined the House of Representatives in rejecting the Administration’s plan to allow foreign control of U.S. airlines. The passage today of the Inouye-Dorgan-Specter Amendment by 19-6 demonstrates the overwhelming opposition on both sides of the aisle – in both houses – to a plan that threatens national defense and security, aviation employees’ jobs and rights, and increased outsourcing.
“The Administration is perpetuating a false claim by insinuating that airlines in America will not survive without foreign capital. The fact is that several bankrupt U.S. air carriers have secured billions in capital as they’ve slowly emerged from the severe economic consequences of the September 11 terrorist attacks, soaring fuel prices, the SARS health crisis and other global events. This new financing and other positive news about the state of the industry has occurred without giving away control of our air carriers to foreign interests.
“Senators Inouye, Dorgan, Specter and others have hopefully prevented Dubai 2 by blocking foreign control of U.S. airlines. The DOT has overstepped its authority and in doing so has threatened the aviation industry, its workers, and our national security. This proposal has been rejected by Congress every time it has been considered. It is past time for the Administration to withdraw this rule.”
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About TTD
Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), a Washington, D.C.-based labor organization, represents several million transportation workers in the private and public sector. The 31 member unions of TTD work in aviation, bus, mass transit, rail, trucking, highway, longshore, maritime and related industries. TTD works with Congress and the Executive Branch including the transportation related Federal Agencies to protect good jobs, increase wages, defend workers’ rights, increase transportation safety plus security and ensure adequate funding for our nation’s transportation infrastructure. Under the umbrella of the AFL-CIO, which represents more than 9 million workers in the United States, TTD handles policy and legislative issues related to transportation. Visit ttd.org for more information.
Senate Appropriations Committee Votes To Prevent Foreign Control of U.S. Airlines