Union Says Barack Obama Is Committed To Aviation Safety, Workers' Rights

On Thursday, Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO (PASS), the union that represents over 11,000 employees at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Department of Defense (DoD), announced its support for Senator Barack Obama for president of the United States.

With a focus on matters that impact union members and aviation safety, such as privatization of the aviation system and supporting the workers who keep the system safe, PASS’s Executive Board decided that Sen. Obama displayed a record of commitment to the issues critical to the PASS membership.

"After weighing the positions of the candidates on several important issues that affect the work life of PASS members, PASS is confident in its support of Senator Obama," said PASS National President Tom Brantley. "Senator Obama has proven himself to be a champion of aviation safety and workers’ rights. FAA employees are in need of that type of support, and PASS believes that, as he has done in the past, Senator Obama will continue to recognize the important work PASS members perform everyday to keep this country safe."

Obama responded that he was "honored" to receive the union's endorsement. "With their support, I’m confident that in this election, we’re going to bring about a new day for America’s workers and the real change our working families need," he added.

PASS notes that in 2006, Obama led lawmakers calling for changes to the contract negotiations process at the FAA, by sponsoring legislation that would allow a neutral third party to determine the outcome of impasses. Negotiations over collective bargaining agreements for four PASS bargaining units have been at impasse for over five years. In the fifth bargaining unit, Technical Operations, it remains unclear when the negotiations process will begin again... after over 98 percent of represented employees rejected the FAA’s proposed agreement.

"Ensuring a fair contract negotiations process at the FAA is imperative to retaining and recruiting the best employees to continue protecting this country’s aviation system," said Brantley. "Senator Obama has made his views on the broken process currently in place at the agency perfectly clear. Without a doubt, he will work to improve the process, which will in turn improve the overall morale of FAA employees."

 In addition, PASS says Obama has indicated a firm stance on privatization of air traffic control system functions, indicating on a survey issued by the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, that he would oppose legislation that would allow the transfer of these function to private interests. He is also a proponent of improving standards at foreign repair stations, an issue extremely important to PASS aviation safety inspectors, and recently cosponsored a bill, the Safe Air Act of 2008 (S. 3090), aimed at increasing and improving oversight of the critical maintenance work performed overseas.

"There are a number of varied issues facing the aviation industry and its workforce today," said Brantley. "It is extremely significant that we have a president who understands these issues and the measures that must be taken in order to protect the safety of the system. We also need a leader who comprehends the value of the workforce and the rights of each employee. PASS is excited to endorse Sen. Obama for president, and we are ready to give him our support."

PASS represents more than 11,000 employees of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Defense who install, maintain, support and certify air traffic control and national defense equipment, inspect and oversee the commercial and general aviation industries, develop flight procedures, and perform quality analyses of the aviation systems.

FMI: www.passnational.org