The Workforce Fairness Institute (WFI) today released the following statement in response to House and Senate approval of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) legislation:
“The legislation passed by lawmakers goes a long way toward protecting airline and railroad workers on the issue of unionization,” said Fred Wszolek, spokesperson for the Workforce Fairness Institute (WFI). “Despite opposition from some labor bosses, the legislation appropriately requires the support of 50 percent of workers to conduct a union election, ensures that run-off elections are between the top two ballot recipients including the no-union vote, compels the National Mediation Board (NMB) to conduct public hearings in advance of significant rulemaking and requires the Government Accountability Office to audit the NMB every two years. This bipartisan legislation better protects workplace democracy in this critical transportation sector of our economy and allows for badly-needed modernization, all of which will serve Americans well.”
BACKGROUND:
“FAA Bill Sent To Obama By Senate”:
“After 1,590 days and 23 short-term extensions, Congress finally gave the FAA a long-term funding bill. The Senate voted, 75-20, Monday evening to send the conference report to the White House, where President Barack Obama is expected to sign it. The House passed the bill Friday. The $64 billion, four-year bill should officially restore stability to the beleaguered FAA … The bill would tighten some barriers to labor elections, trim the Essential Air Service program, allow eight new daily round trip long-distance flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and codify 90 percent of Obama’s ‘Passenger Bill of Rights.’” (Burgess Everett, “FAA Bill Sent To Obama By Senate,” Politico, 2/6/12)
This entry was posted in FAA, National Mediation Board, Unions, WFI Statement and tagged Essential Air Service, FAA, Fred Wszolek, Government Accountability Office, National Mediation Board, NMB, Passenger Bill of Rights, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Transportation. Bookmark the permalink.