Release #: 20.06
April 14, 2020

Statement on CARES Act Payroll Support Program Agreements with Airlines

McLEAN, Va.—Capt. Joe DePete, president of the Air Lines Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), issued the following statement today after the U.S. Treasury Department announced agreement with some U.S. airlines regarding the Payroll Support Program of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act:

 “ALPA was proud to fight for the pro-labor CARES Act to help stabilize the aviation industry, save jobs, and protect collective bargaining agreements. We are pleased that a number of airlines have decided to participate in the Payroll Support Program, despite the constraints placed on this grant funding by the Treasury Department.

“Unfortunately, Treasury is undermining the intent of the CARES Act by treating a portion of the grants designed to protect jobs not as grants, but as loans, which will make it harder to stop layoffs and slow the recovery. In spite of this, we remain optimistic that more carriers will avail themselves of this funding—and that Congress will seek to overturn the constraints placed on this worker assistance program.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents over 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