Key Flight Attendant Provisions Pass in Senate FAA Reauthorization Bill

WASHINGTON, March 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After eleven Continuing Resolutions, the U.S. Senate yesterday passed a version of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Bill that contained several key flight attendant provisions. The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), representing 50,000 flight attendants at 22 airlines, commended the Senate for taking action on this important legislation.

"The FAA Reauthorization includes several workplace safety and health protections for flight attendants that have been ignored for far too long. We are thankful to the Senate for recognizing their importance and including these crucial measures in the bill," said Patricia Friend, AFA-CWA International President.

Among the AFA-CWA-supported measures that were included in the Senate's bill were: a  follow-up on the results of a FAA flight attendant fatigue study; OSHA workplace safety and health protections; cabin air quality provisions that would identify the equipment and technologies available to detect and filter highly toxic contaminants in the air supply; English language standards for flight attendants; and a "Return to the Cabin" program that will allow flight attendants an opportunity for rehabilitation after testing positive for drug or alcohol abuse.

"AFA-CWA is especially grateful to Senators Harry Reid, Kirsten Gillibrand, Charles Schumer and Richard Durbin for their commitment to the passage of this crucial bill and helping to protect flight attendants across the country."

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a similar version of the FAA Reauthorization in May 2009.  

For over 60 years, the Association of Flight Attendants has been serving as the voice for flight attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill.  More than 50,000 flight attendants at 22 airlines come together to form AFA-CWA, the world's largest flight attendant union. AFA is part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afanet.org. 

SOURCE Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA)

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED