9.08.20 – Union Plans Week-long Actions to Save Jobs

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Paul Hartshorn, Jr.
communications@apfa.org

APFA Launches Another Week of Action
Union Plans Week-long Actions to Save Jobs
Flight Attendants March on Capitol Hill

(Euless, TX) – “Time is running out. Congress must act quickly to prevent further economic collapse—to our aviation workforce and our national economy. 75,000 US aviation jobs could disappear on October 1st, and it will take years to recover them,” said Julie Hedrick, National President of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants.

The 6-month Payroll Support Program passed in March as part of the CARES Act has successfully kept frontline aviation workers on the job and connected to health benefits during this public health crisis. On October 1st, just as Americans are getting back to work, 75,000 more may be out of a job. Congress and the White House support an extension of the Payroll Support Program, but they must agree and pass a stimulus package soon.

This week, the 26,000 members of APFA are participating in a Week of Action to save our jobs:

• Tuesday – Pressuring Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
• Wednesday – APFA Rallies at the US Capitol 9 am-11 am 
• Thursday – Targeting Secretary Mnuchin and White House COS Mark Meadows
• Friday – Contacting Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer

Hedrick expressed concern over the lack of a stimulus package, catastrophic job loss, and our nation’s economic future. “The political games must stop now. This is not public service. Our citizens are struggling. On October 1st, thousands of US aviation jobs will disappear unless Congress and the White House compromise immediately. These are our lives and our livelihoods. Right when our nation is getting back to work, over 75,000 aviation workers will be turned over to a weak job market or unemployment insurance. Washington: Save our jobs. Keep us flying. Let us propel the nation’s economic recovery. Negotiate a stimulus bill. Extend the Payroll Support Program before it is too late. We will NOT accept inaction.”