WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
-- Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO (PASS),
National President Mike Perrone
released the following statement regarding the government
shutdown's impact on aviation safety.
"Since President Trump has failed to reach agreement with
Congress—not once, but three times since September 30—to fully fund
the federal government, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
aviation safety inspectors were off the job as of midnight last
night. These PASS-represented employees—more than 4,000—are
responsible for the oversight, certification and surveillance of
the entire American aviation system, including all general aviation
and commercial aircraft, pilots and flight instructors, and repair
stations both in this country and abroad. PASS is outraged that the
FAA would consider these employees as playing anything but a
pivotal role in protecting the safety of the American flying
public. Furloughing this critical workforce is neither in the best
interest of the economy nor the oversight of the U.S. aviation
system.
"For each day the government is closed, aviation safety
inspectors will not be providing oversight of commercial and
general aviation aircraft, pilots, flight instructors, and domestic
and foreign repair stations; conducting in-flight cockpit
inspections or ramp inspections; overseeing third-party designees
performing critical work on behalf of the FAA or air carriers; or
issuing new or renewing current certificates.
"Manufacturing inspectors will not be providing manufacturing
production approval and certification, will not be evaluating
aviation mechanics, facilities, training programs and equipment, or
addressing issues related to manufacturing facilities.
"Modernization of the National Airspace System (NAS) will be
stopped in its tracks, with training and progress of initiatives
suffering delays and considerable setbacks. Every FAA employee will
be impacted by the shutdown, whether it is being forced off the job
or continuing to serve the agency and their country without
pay.
"Aviation plays a critical role in the nation's economy and
provides invaluable services to the flying public and the military.
The aviation system provides $1.5
trillion through the commercial aviation industry and 12
million American jobs. It is crucial that such a major aspect of
this country's economic engine have the necessary financial
resources it needs through a stable funding stream for the FAA.
"The safety of the flying public depends on aviation safety
inspectors, and this safety should never be compromised, as it will
be during this shutdown. PASS calls on members of Congress to work
swiftly to end the shutdown and allow all employees at the FAA to
get back to work to ensure the safety of America's aviation
system."
PASS represents more than 11,000 employees of the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) and Department of Defense (DoD) who
install, maintain, support and certify air traffic control and
national defense equipment, inspect and oversee the commercial and
general aviation industries, develop flight procedures, and perform
quality analyses of complex aviation systems used in air traffic
control and national defense in the
United States and abroad.
Contact: Liz Doherty,
edoherty@passnational.org
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content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/government-shutdown-grounds-aviation-safety-inspectors-300585606.html
SOURCE Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO
(PASS)