PASS Supports Senate Version of FAA Reauthorization
The Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO (PASS), the union that represents systems specialists and inspectors at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), is pleased to support The Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2017 (S.1405), introduced by Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee Chair John Thune (R-S.D.), Committee Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Aviation Subcommittee Chair Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Subcommittee Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.).
PASS is encouraged that lawmakers are addressing important aviation policy issues such as integrating unmanned aerial systems and streamlining certification. Of utmost importance to airline passengers, safety advocates and FAA employees, the Senate continues to reject privatization of the air traffic control system and to recognize the need to keep our aviation system a function of the U.S. government.
“On behalf of the 11,000 PASS-represented employees at the FAA, I want to thank Senators Thune, Nelson, Blunt and Cantwell for their leadership on this issue and their dedication to aviation safety,” said PASS National President Mike Perrone. “The hardworking public servants at the FAA are committed to ensuring the safety and efficiency of the world’s largest and most complex airspace. Not only did the Senate reject risky privatization schemes, they offered solutions to long-standing staffing shortages at the FAA and ways to advance NextGen priorities without jeopardizing the viability of the system for years to come.”
“PASS will continue to work to advance the Senate bill and fight privatization of the air traffic control system,” said Perrone. “The United States has the largest, safest and most complex aviation system in the world. Severing air traffic control from the federal government is an unnecessary undertaking for a system that is not broken. We need to work together to secure our standing as the world leader in aviation.”
For more information or questions, please contact Liz Doherty.