Flight Attendant Union Statement on the Nomination of Pete Buttigieg for DOT
Flight Attendant Union Statement on the Nomination of Pete Buttigieg for DOT
WASHINGTON, DC (December 15, 2020) — The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA International President Sara Nelson released the following statement on Biden’s nomination of Mayor Pete Buttigieg to be the next Secretary of Transportation:
"The Association of Flight Attendant-CWA, AFL-CIO congratulates Pete Buttigieg on his nomination to be the next Secretary of Transportation. In Mayor Pete, the Biden/Harris administration, has selected an accomplished, high-profile candidate for a department other administrations have too often treated as an afterthought. By contrast, this appointment signals immediate focus and urgency for the nation’s transportation policy and infrastructure, a welcome change for aviation workers.
"Mayor Pete’s campaign reached millions of people and demonstrated a strong and thoughtful grasp of important issues facing our country. With this appointment he will bring that same energy and determination to an agency that oversees the backbone of the American economy. From freight rail to mass transit, from shipping to commercial aviation, the next Secretary of Transportation has the opportunity to make an immediate and lasting impact, here and around the world.
"Millions of working people in the transportation sector recognize the need for investment in our infrastructure. We know first-hand the need to deploy our logistical capacity for the battle to control the pandemic (and prevent the spread of the next one), and the need for new technology to continue to advance and improve our transportation capabilities over the next century. It’s all awaiting a visionary leader to champion this crucial policy portfolio; someone who seeks – and adopts – the input of frontline workers who know the industry best.
"Buttigieg’s military background is also an important experience for this position. Flight attendants and other airline workers have a deep and lasting relationship with our Nation’s servicepeople, who we transport to and from conflict zones and peacetime missions around the globe. As a veteran, Mayor Pete certainly knows the role of civilian air transport and logistics capacity the entire transportation sector provides our country, here in the U.S. and around the world.
“Transportation brings people together. It takes all stakeholders working together, but it depends on the workers to make it run. Transportation is the physical demonstration of freedom as we fly to every corner of the Earth. Our union sees commercial aviation as a space where we champion all the freedoms of individual expression that make us strong. When many can only dream of crossing borders, we carry families and friends to every corner of the globe.
"AFA-CWA looks forward to working with Secretary Buttigieg as part of the Biden/Harris administration, and will spare no effort in placing our own expertise and experience at his disposal. The role of DOT Secretary is critical for our relationships around the world and the freedoms Americans have been blessed to enjoy. We know from his campaign that Mayor Pete knows how to reach out to all stakeholders to seek input and build consensus. Together we will forge a transportation sector that will serve the American people for generations to come."
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The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, (AFA) AFL-CIO represents nearly 50,000 Flight Attendants at 17 airlines. AFA is the union that has advanced the Flight Attendant profession for 75 years, beating back discrimination and improving wages, benefits, working conditions, and aviation safety, health and security in the aircraft cabin. AFA also partners with the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afacwa.org.
