The IAM Rejects The Approval For Norwegian Air International To Serve The U.S. Market

Since the U.S. Department of Transportation issued an order proposing to grant a foreign air carrier permit to Norwegian Air International, both Congress and U.S. unions have not been happy. More than 200 members of Congress have sent letters to U.S. Transportation Secretary, Anthony Foxx, calling for him to deny the NAI application.

IAM General Vice President Sito Pantoja issued the following statement regarding Congress’ action to halt Norwegian Air International’s (NAI) entry into the U.S. aviation market:

“The Machinists Union applauds Congress for acting to stop the Department of Transportation’s ill-conceived decision to pave the way for NAI’s entry into the US aviation market. Any airline that registers its aircraft in foreign countries with lax safety and security standards and ‘rents’ its cabin crews from countries with no labor laws to lower costs shouldn’t be welcome in the United States.

“IAM members thank Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA), and Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA) for sponsoring H.R. 5090 and standing up for US airline workers.

“Make no mistake: NAI’s scheme to gain entry into the US aviation market will unleash downward pressure on the wages, benefits and working conditions of airline workers here in the United States and cause airline workers to lose their jobs. That is unacceptable.

“It’s time for Washington D.C. politicians to stand up for US airline workers and H.R. 5090 is a good start. I call on all IAM members to contact their U.S. Representatives and demand they support H.R. 5090.”

The IAM is the largest transportation union in the world, and among the largest labor unions representing approximately 620,000 members.

FMI: www.goiam.org