On Monday and Tuesday of this week, TWU M&R local Presidents Gary Schaible local 591, Dale Danker local 514, and Rollie Reaves local 567 lobbied both the House and Senate for the passage of the Global Aircraft Maintenance Safety Improvement Act.

The bill was introduced Wednesday, March 22nd by Marc Molinaro (R-NY-19). This bipartisan legislation establishes a global safety standard for American aircraft repairs and removes the incentive to offshore aircraft maintenance jobs. Rep. Molinaro introduced this bill alongside U.S. Reps. Julie Brownley (D-CA-26), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11), John Garamendi (D-CA-8), and 22 other Members of Congress. 

There are nearly one thousand Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified maintenance and repair stations operating outside the United States. These stations service American aircraft but operate at a far lower safety standard than their American-based counterparts, incentivizing businesses to move these jobs overseas.

Rep. Molinaro’s legislation requires minimum certification standards for mechanics and technicians, security checks of workers and facilities, annual unannounced FAA inspections, and drug and alcohol tests.
Rep. Molinaro said, “The FAA has certified nearly one thousand foreign maintenance facilities that service American aircraft. These foreign-based facilities, however, are held to a lower safety standard, offshoring jobs that can be done in America. My bill establishes a global safety standard for maintenance facilities o the highest level of aircraft safety standards are upheld and removes the incentive to move maintenance jobs overseas. We can enhance safety and encourage quality, high-paying jobs here at home.”

Rep. Brownley said, “The U.S. has the safest air transportation system in the world, due to our rigorous standards for safety at all levels. It is past time that we close loopholes that allow foreign repair stations to undermine our safety standards. I am pleased to co-author this important legislation with Congressman Molinaro, Congressman Garamendi, and Congressman Malliotakis, which will ensure that aircraft maintenance that has been outsourced to foreign counties must comply with the same safety standards as U.S. aircraft maintenance facilities.”

John Samuelsen, President of the Transportation Workers Union International said, "The double standard found in overseas aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul work is the dirty little secret of U.S". air carriers. While these facilities outside the U.S. are FAA certified, the mechanics who work in them and the facilities themselves are not held to the same standards as their U.S. counterparts. This un-level playing field encourages U.S. air carriers to offshore aircraft maintenance work, putting passenger and aircrew safety at risk. The Global Aircraft Maintenance Safety Improvement Act is much-needed legislation that would close these gaps, increase the safety of our airspace, and return good jobs to the U.S”.

The TWU encourages all members to contact their United States Representatives and ask for their support of the bill.

Open link for more information:

https://www.votervoice.net/TWU/campaigns/93598/respond