PASS Statement on Extension of FAA Authorization

Details: Published: July 07, 2016

Extension Does Not Include Language on ATC Privatization

Today, Mike Perrone, president of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO (PASS), the union that represents over 11,000 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees, released the following statement in response to the agreement to extend FAA authorization through September 2017:

“On behalf of all members PASS represents, I want to thank House and Senate negotiators for working together to develop a bipartisan agreement that authorizes the FAA through September 2017. The agreement provides several safety and security reforms as well as consumer protection provisions. While PASS actively supported long-term, comprehensive reauthorization for the FAA, we nonetheless applaud lawmakers for securing legislation that will allow the FAA to move forward.

“Of utmost importance to PASS, the members we represent as well as many aviation stakeholders and industry groups, the bipartisan agreement does not include language that would privatize the air traffic control system. PASS has been unwavering in our fight against privatization of the air traffic control system, emphasizing the significant risks involved with such an endeavor. The United States has the safest, largest and most efficient aviation system, and it should always remain a function of the U.S. government.

“PASS looks forward to continuing to work with lawmakers in order to secure a long-term FAA reauthorization bill in 2017 that will continue our efforts to modernize the country’s airspace system, as well as ensure its safety and efficiency now and in the future.”