The TWU is proud to endorse the recently introduced Safe Aircraft Maintenance Standards Act (H.R. 5119). Led by Representatives Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and John Katko (R-NY), this bipartisan bill would close five loopholes that allow airlines to offshore maintenance of aircraft onto a lower safety standard abroad. The bill would also impose a moratorium, blocking the FAA from approving any new foreign repair facilities until they implement the legislation, as well as past pieces of legislation in this area.

In recent years, airlines have offshored more than 8,200 jobs previously held by TWU members to foreign aircraft maintenance facilities. These facilities do not have any drug and alcohol testing, background checks, threat assessment, unannounced FAA inspections, or mechanic qualification requirements. The result has been an increasing number of incidents caused by poor maintenance at the facilities – including vital engine components held together by tape and wire and found by an American Airlines mechanic in Chicago earlier this year.

The TWU is on the frontlines fighting to protect U.S. workers from government sanctioned outsourcing. At airlines, public transit agencies, railroads, and other industries, we are fighting to ensure that our members’ jobs remain stable and safe at all times.