Teamsters Announce Support of NextGen
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Teamsters Airline Division Director David Bourne today sent a letter to Sen. John D. Rockefeller and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, chairman and ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee respectively, to express appreciation for their support of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) and reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration.
In his letter, Capt. Bourne said the Teamsters support the Obama administration's budget request for
"The current, inefficient ground-based air traffic control system must be replaced with a modern satellite-based system in order for America to remain competitive in aviation," Bourne wrote. "NextGen is a great example of the nexus among national energy, environmental and air transportation policies."
"The financial success of the airline industry protects and expands the number and quality of middle-class jobs," Bourne wrote. "As you know, aviation workers throughout the country experienced mass lay-offs and wage reductions in the aftermath of Sept. 11. Every effort should be made to bring financial health back to the industry so that workers may benefit."
He also expressed hope that a bipartisan solution can be found to the funding issue.
"The country would welcome the sight of creative and committed leaders from both parties coming together to move beyond this most unfortunate deadlock, especially on a project of such promise on so many levels," Bourne concluded.