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US Congress tries to block Flag-of-Convenience model for Norwegian Longhaul

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johnsonrod

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 25, 2006
Posts
4,218
Sorry for all of the punctuation issues - it doesn't always translate when you copy and paste....





ALPA Lauds U.S. House Action to Block Federal Transportation Funds from Skewing Marketplace against U.S. Airlines
Would Block U.S. Foreign Air Carrier Permits for Flag-of-Convenience Models Such As NAI
WASHINGTON

The Air Line Pilots Association, Int?l (ALPA) commends an amendment passed unanimously by voice vote today by the U.S. House of Representatives that would help safeguard the U.S. airline industry's ability to compete on a level playing field by making certain that federal transportation funds are not used to grant foreign airlines that violate U.S. law or the U.S.-EU Air Transport Agreement access to U.S. markets.
Thanks to the tremendous leadership of Rep. Westmoreland and Rep. DeFazio, this amendment specifically prohibits shopping for cheap labor and simply requires the Department of Transportation to follow the law and provisions agreed to in the U.S.-EU Transport Agreement, said Capt. Lee Moak, ALPA's president. Congress has a responsibility to make sure that U.S. airlines do business in a fair marketplace and that the U.S. government's transportation funds don?t hand an advantage to foreign airlines that try to cheat the system.?
Introduced by Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-Ga.) and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), the amendment to the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015 (H.R. 4745) stipulates that none of the funds in the bill may be used to approve a foreign air carrier permit or application where such approval would contravene United States law or Article 17 bis of the U.S.-E.U.-Iceland-Norway Air Transport Agreement.

The amendment passed today would prevent the Department of Transportation from approving Norwegian Air International's (NAI) foreign air carrier permit application because the airline's operations would contradict the U.S. EU Air Transport Agreement, which specifically prohibits any efforts to undermine labor standards.

Despite the fact that Norwegian Air Shuttle, NAI's parent company, has centered its operations in Norway and that NAI does not plan to fly to or from Ireland, the company has gained permission from Ireland to operate its long-haul flights as an Irish airline expressly to avoid Norway's employment laws. With an Irish air operator certificate, NAI will outsource its flight crews through a Singapore employment company using individual contracts with wages well below those of the company?s Norway-based employees.

By passing this amendment that blocks the Norwegian Air International scheme and any similar bid to contravene the U.S.-EU Air Transport Agreement, the U.S. House has taken a strong stand for fair competition for U.S. airlines, said Capt. Moak. "We urge the U.S. Senate to support the U.S. House position and send a clear signal that Congress is committed to ensuring U.S. airlines and their employees do business on a level playing field."
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world?s largest pilot union, representing more than 51,000 pilots at 32 airlines in the United States and Canada.
 
fvcking A bubba... good deal. Let's hope the lib senate doesn't pull some crap... the way our government is sold out to big business you never know until the end. But a good sign was the unaminous vote... shows good promise. We'll take this as a victory for now.

tailhookah
 
Fellow SWAPA pilots,

Your Governmental Affairs team is on the Hill today pushing for support on the Westmoreland-DeFazio Amendment to H.R. 4745. Here is the amendment that could go to vote as early as this evening:

None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to approve a foreign air carrier permit or exemption application of an air carrier holding an air operators certificate issued by a country that is party to the U.S.-E.U. Air Transport Agreement where such approval would contravene United States law or Article 17 bis of the U.S.-E.U.-Iceland-Norway Air Transport Agreement.

Your SWAPA Governmental Affairs team needs you to call your Congressional Representative's office today and tell them to support the Westmoreland-DeFazio Amendment to the FY2015 Transportation-HUD Appropriations Bill.

This amendment is part of an ongoing effort to stop the Norwegian Air International Application to the US DOT for foreign carrier status. SWAPA and other groups believe that the Norwegian scheme and flag of convenience strategy are direct threats to all career professional pilots in the United States.

How do you reach your Congressional Representative's office?
Use this "Find Your Representative" link and enter your Zip Code or Zip plus Four if needed. You can link from there to your Congressional Rep's website to find a D.C. office phone number.

1. What should I say when I call my Congressional office?
"Hi my name is ___________ I am calling today to urge Congressman XXXX to support the Westmoreland-DeFazio amendment to H.R. 4745, the FY2015 Transportation-HUD Appropriations bill that is on the floor this week. I am a Southwest Airlines pilot and a constituent, and this amendment is important to protect my career and my profession."

2. When should I make the call?
This Amendment is time critical and will be introduced and voted as early as Monday. It is critical that as many Southwest pilots as possible reach out to their Representatives quickly.Today, Monday, June 9 is the best day during Eastern Time standard business hours.

3. Can't I write a letter or send an email?
The timeline on this is very short and the power of a personal outreach cannot be overstated. Take a few minutes of your day and help make a positive influence on protecting our careers.

Thanks in advance for your participation and support.

Paul Jackson, Chair
Governmental Affairs Committee
[email protected]
 
I wouldn't view this as anything more than a small battle won

Still worth the phone call IMO
 
It's attached to funding. You can bet the DOT won't fight over their life blood for a foreign carriers application.
 
This is the Battle of the Bulge......now let's go get the war over and done with.

I emailed, twittered, and called my Congressman. He must have been getting an earful because the staffer stopped me half way through the speech I had made up and said "We are fully aware and he will support this amendment, and the Congressman appreciates your calling him."

It sounded like they had heard it before.....not the usual two step when you call and all they do is listen and say thanks for your comments.
 
Hilarious now that the majors are facing a threat but don't mind what's occurring at the regionals. Crazy industry.

post from FI:

Originally Posted by
And what is the reason that we are still paid poverty level wages at the regionals?
ALPA

Our leader is in bed with management. He is now toast. If we can get a real leader, regional pilot pay should double or more.
The fearless stand of our regional pilots in rejecting pathetic contracts is paving the way to restoring our profession.
Let's keep up the pressure.
30 year Delta captain.
 
Last edited:
Hilarious now that the majors are facing a threat but don't mind what's occurring at the regionals. Crazy industry.

post from FI:

Originally Posted by
And what is the reason that we are still paid poverty level wages at the regionals?
ALPA

Our leader is in bed with management. He is now toast. If we can get a real leader, regional pilot pay should double or more.
The fearless stand of our regional pilots in rejecting pathetic contracts is paving the way to restoring our profession.
Let's keep up the pressure.
30 year Delta captain.

Do tell what's happening at the regionals.....I am all ears
 

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