Association of Flight Attendants-CWA

WASHINGTON -- Today, Tuesday, September 22nd, leaders for the nation’s top aviation unions and CEOs from numerous airlines will hold a joint press conference to implore Congress and the Administration to act urgently as the clock ticks down to October 1, when furloughs will happen across the industry if there isn’t an extension of the Payroll Support Program (PSP).

The PSP, which has gone directly to payrolls and kept airline employees on the job and out of the unemployment lines during the pandemic, runs out on September 30.

The strong bipartisan, bicameral support from Capitol Hill and the Administration to help airline workers is encouraging; however, there are only days remaining before PSP aid runs out. Our leaders need to get something meaningful done -- and it needs to get done now.

This global health crisis has had an unprecedented impact on the U.S. airline industry. At its lowest point in April, passenger volumes were down 96 percent to a level not seen since the 1950s. Passenger volumes remain down approximately 70 percent, a third of the U.S. fleet remains idled and U.S. carriers continue to collectively burn more than $5 billion in cash per month.

U.S. airlines and our employees continue to provide essential services, but we are running out of time to protect the jobs and livelihoods of flight attendants, pilots, mechanics, gate agents and many other hardworking men and women.

WHO:
Nicholas E. Calio, Airlines for America

Joe DePete, Air Line Pilots Association

Eric Ferguson, Allied Pilots Association

Robin Hayes, JetBlue Airways

Julie Hedrick, Association of Professional Flight Attendants

Scott Kirby, United Airlines

Sara Nelson, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA

Sito Pantoja, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

Doug Parker, American Airlines 

WHEN AND WHERE:
House Triangle

U.S. Capitol

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

4:00 p.m. Eastern

###