Release #: 20.26
September 29, 2020

ALPA Applauds Bankruptcy Reform Legislation, Calls on Congress to Pass Critical PSP Extension Before September 30 Deadline

MCLEAN, Va.—Capt. Joe DePete, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), today issued the following statement after the House Judiciary Committee approved the Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act of 2020.

“This bill is a timely step forward in protecting U.S. workers and providing much-needed fairness to the bankruptcy process, and we thank House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler and Representative Donald Norcross for their unwavering support. Unfortunately, if Congress does not act soon and pass an extension of the Payroll Support Program, the economic recovery of our industry will be stalled, and airline bankruptcies could become prevalent once again.

“ALPA pilots stand in strong support of this important legislation that will provide vital protections for all workers. Airline employees know far too well the devastating effects corporate bankruptcies have on the lives of hardworking Americans and are still feeling the effects of that last round of bankruptcies that stripped them of their hard-earned pensions, salaries, and work rules.

“Pilots remain committed to working with their airlines to weather this public-health and economic crisis, but we need Congress to provide relief today through a clean extension of the Payroll Support Program, which is supported by bipartisan majorities in both chambers and the White House. ALPA implores Congress to move legislation to extend this job-saving program by any means possible before October 1.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents nearly 63,000 pilots at 35 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit the ALPA website at alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @WeAreALPA.

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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org