Message #3 From:
NewsBot Date: March 8, 2007 08:03:00 AM
AMR News Allied Pilots Association Voices Strong Opposition to U.S.-EU ''Open Skies'' Tentative Agreement
FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Allied Pilots Association (APA), collective bargaining agent for the 12,000 pilots of American Airlines (NYSE:AMR), expressed its strong opposition to the tentative “open skies” agreement reached by negotiators for the United States and European Union.
“With this tentative agreement, it appears the Bush administration is attempting yet another end run around congressional oversight of our country’s aviation policy,” said Captain Ralph Hunter, president of the Allied Pilots Association. “We are especially concerned by a franchising provision of the tentative agreement that would grant foreign investors control over U.S. carriers’ operational decisions.”
Hunter pointed out that as recently as last year, Congress rejected efforts by the Bush administration to permit greater foreign ownership and control of U.S. carriers in violation of existing laws. He further noted that the administration has agreed to additional talks with the EU later this year to discuss the possibility of changing U.S. ownership and control laws and permitting foreign carriers to serve the domestic market.
“APA was instrumental in convincing Congress to pass legislation blocking the Department of Transportation’s plans to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would have called for relaxing restrictions on foreign ownership and control of our nation’s airlines,” Hunter said. “We intend to reiterate to lawmakers our strong opposition to any scheme that harms our country’s airline workers.
“It is essential that our government explain to all stakeholders how the various provisions of the tentative agreement would work and, more importantly, how those provisions would benefit U.S. interests, including those of airline workers,” Hunter said. “Accordingly, we will work with other airline industry unions in urging Congress to exercise appropriate oversight where this tentative agreement is concerned.”
Founded in 1963, APA is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. There are currently 2,799 American Airlines pilots on furlough. The furloughs began shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Also, several hundred American Airlines pilots are on full-time military leave of absence serving in the armed forces. The union’s Web site address is www.alliedpilots.org. American Airlines is the nation’s largest passenger carrier.
