Release #: 20.04
March 27, 2020
Pilots Union Applauds House Passage of CARES Act
Essential Stimulus Legislation Provides Lifeline for Aviation Workers
McLEAN, VA—The Air Lines Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) issued the following statement today after the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), sending the legislation that had already passed the Senate to the White House:
“ALPA is grateful to Congress for putting frontline aviation workers first in the CARES Act. This legislation is essential for the tens of thousands of aviation workers that help keep America flying. By helping to stabilize the airline industry while protecting frontline aviation workers, we will ensure that, when the time comes, the return to normal operations will be done safely and swiftly.
“From the moment that COVID-19 economic relief was considered, ALPA has been clear that any relief package must put frontline aviation workers first and help move our economy. ALPA pilots have been actively engaged in discussions of the bill, and through their collective activism, tens of thousands of pilots sent more than 130,000 letters to Capitol Hill and urged lawmakers on social media to protect pilot jobs by bringing economic relief and stability to our vital industry.
“This important legislation would not have been possible without a bipartisan effort, and we remain grateful to the contributions of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio, and Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Maria Cantwell that led to this critical, proworker legislation that makes certain that the same frontline workers who keep the airline industry moving safely each and every day also share in the economic relief it receives.”
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