Release #: 21.12
February 26, 2021

ALPA Applauds House Passage of Vital, Proworker Legislation

Urges Senate to Swiftly Pass the American Rescue Plan


McLEAN, Va.— Capt. Joe DePete, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), issued the following statement today after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Rescue Plan (H.R. 1319), which includes a $14 billion extension of the Payroll Support Program through September 30, 2021.

“ALPA applauds the House passage of this crucial bill that will keep tens of thousands of aviation workers on company payroll and off unemployment as intended by this worker-first program.

“From the onset of the pandemic, U.S. airline pilots and crewmembers have been on the job transporting medical personnel to outbreak hotspots and keeping global supply chains moving to provide medical supplies. Airline pilots have done their part not only to assist this nation through the pandemic, but also to help our industry weather the economic storm.

“If airline pilots are to lose their jobs and fall behind in training in the interim, our industry won’t be able to simply flip a switch and bring highly trained pilots and other aviation workers back online overnight. It takes time—and money—to retrain and prepare them to maintain the high standards of safety that our nation demands of its airline professionals.

“ALPA urges the Senate to swiftly pass this bill to protect the jobs of frontline aviation workers. While we recognize that the future of our industry continues to look challenging, pilots are ready for takeoff and as committed as ever to the safety of our passengers and crew.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents over 59,000 pilots at 35 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit the ALPA website at alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @ALPAPilots.

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