AFL-CIO Claims Jobs and National Security at Risk
AFL-CIO transportation unions tell ANN that they are calling on the Bush administration to withdraw its flawed and controversial proposal allowing foreign interests to control U.S. airlines.
Citing economic and national security concerns and clear contradiction to existing law, Edward Wytkind, President of the AFL-CIO's Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), made the call in regulatory comments filed Friday with the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Bowing to European Union (EU) demands, the Bush administration proposed sweeping changes in foreign control regulations in November 2005, paving the way to an agreement with the EU on a new aviation services pact. The Administration's unilateral attempt to change limits on foreign control that have been in place for decades has prompted an aggressive bipartisan call from Capitol Hill to withdraw this proposal. To date, more than 100 Senators and House Members have criticized the Bush plan and endorsed legislation that would prevent the rule from being finalized for at least a year.
"Clearly, the White House is attempting to circumvent the role of Congress," Wytkind (pictured, below right) declared.
"It is obvious that the Administration is so driven to placate the EU that it is willing to embrace a badly flawed change in aviation policy and snub lawmakers on both sides of the aisle in the process."
ANN Article
Transportation Trades Department (TTD) Release (PDF)
AFL-CIO transportation unions tell ANN that they are calling on the Bush administration to withdraw its flawed and controversial proposal allowing foreign interests to control U.S. airlines.
Citing economic and national security concerns and clear contradiction to existing law, Edward Wytkind, President of the AFL-CIO's Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), made the call in regulatory comments filed Friday with the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Bowing to European Union (EU) demands, the Bush administration proposed sweeping changes in foreign control regulations in November 2005, paving the way to an agreement with the EU on a new aviation services pact. The Administration's unilateral attempt to change limits on foreign control that have been in place for decades has prompted an aggressive bipartisan call from Capitol Hill to withdraw this proposal. To date, more than 100 Senators and House Members have criticized the Bush plan and endorsed legislation that would prevent the rule from being finalized for at least a year.
"Clearly, the White House is attempting to circumvent the role of Congress," Wytkind (pictured, below right) declared.
"It is obvious that the Administration is so driven to placate the EU that it is willing to embrace a badly flawed change in aviation policy and snub lawmakers on both sides of the aisle in the process."
ANN Article
Transportation Trades Department (TTD) Release (PDF)
