The Air Lines Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) supports the recently established airline stimulus package, maintaining the effort stabilizes the airline industry and protects aviation workers.
“ALPA is pleased that the U.S. Congress and the White House have reached an agreement and we urge Congress to swiftly pass this bill,” Capt. Joe DePete, president of the Air Lines Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), said via a statement after the agreement was announced. “From the outset, ALPA maintained that any economic relief bill must put workers first to keep airplanes flying and help move our economy. We are especially glad that this robust package to immediately stabilize the industry includes grants for worker payroll as well as protections for the integrity of collective bargaining agreements.”
DePete said the pact contains provisions to limit furloughs, protect contracts and ensure federal assistance is used to pay airline employees’ salaries and benefits.
“As the world’s largest airline pilots union, ALPA’s resounding voice was heard through the halls of Congress this week as tens of thousands of pilots sent more than 130,000 letters to their elected representatives and engaged extensively on social media urging lawmakers to protect pilot jobs by bringing economic relief and stability to our vital industry,” DePete said.