BIG TWU GAINS IN FAA REAUTHORIZATION

Congratulations! A major blow to the outsourcing of airline maintenance work overseas and OSHA protection for flight attendants headline an FAA Reauthorization Bill (H.R. 2881) that places workers first for the first time in over a decade.

Before passing the bill 267-151, the House of Representatives first adopted a TWU amendment forcing the FAA to impose drug and alcohol testing on mechanics working on US. aircraft overseas. That double standard and the competitive disadvantage it places on US. repair stations is a major reason 64% of the work on US. domestic aircraft is now sent overseas.

The amendment, introduced at our request by Republican Ted Poe of Texas and supported by the Democratic leadership was passed over the objections of the FAA, the Bush Administration and fierce lobbying by most US. carriers. American Airlines was the only airline supporting the amendment.

Passage of the amendment imposing drug and alcohol tests on foreign aircraft? repair stations marks a key turning point in the TWU's 19-year fight to overturn the outsourcing our jobs overseas. The legislation also requires for the first time that every foreign repair station (over 600) be inspected by the FAA a minimum of twice a year.

Meanwhile flight attendants have been fighting for OSHA protection for 36 years, ever since OSHA was established. This legislation creates cabin standards and inspectors and makes the FAA responsible for enforcing OSHA regulations in the cabin.

The legislation also advances flight attendant issues by providing for aircraft cabin air sampling; an aircraft cabin temperature study; and a flight crew fatigue study and duty time regulations.

 We are thankful to Congressional friends that helped to ensure passage of the bill and amendments that are essential. We owe a great deal of gratitude to Chairman Oberstar

(D-MN), Chairman Costello (D-IL), and congressman Ted Poe (R-TX) who all exceeded our expectations in presenting vital pieces of policy to the legislation.

Most of all we could not have been successful without the grassroots efforts of our many members who have reached out to their Representatives with visits, calls, emails, and faxes explaining our issues and points of view on the much needed policy changes.

The bill now goes to the Senate (FAA Reauthorization Bill, S. 1300) where the fight will he made more difficult by the need for 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. If it passes Congress, we will have another fight with President Bush who has threatened to veto it.

So: our hats off to you, for all of your efforts in the successful passage of H.R. 2881 And get ready for the next round.