AFA-CWA Looks Forward to Passage of FAA Reauthorization

Bill Includes Key Provisions for Flight Attendants Including Cell Phone Ban

WASHINGTON, May 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) commended the U.S. House of Representatives today on bringing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill (H.R. 915) to the floor for a vote and anticipates its passage later this evening. The bill, which appropriates funding to the FAA for vast improvements, includes important enhancements directly related to the flight attendant profession.

"Flight attendants across the country support this FAA Reauthorization bill in order to advance our profession," said Patricia Friend, AFA-CWA International President. "Within this bill are workplace safety and health protections for flight attendants that have been ignored for far too long."

One provision included in H.R. 915 continues the current Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) ban on inflight cell phone use.

"We applaud Representative Peter DeFazio for including this important provision in the bill and are grateful for his continued dedication to protecting and preserving the interests of flight attendants and airline passengers. Cell phone use on aircraft is not a necessity. In far too many operational scenarios, cell phone use could be far worse than a mere nuisance: It could have catastrophic effects on aviation safety and security," added Friend.

Other measures included in the FAA Reauthorization include funding for a flight attendant fatigue study; the inclusion of OSHA workplace safety and health protections; notification of pesticide application on flights; cabin air quality provisions that would initiate development of air quality sensors and filtration; a "Return to the Cabin" program that will allow flight attendants an opportunity for rehabilitation after testing positive for drug or alcohol abuse; temperature standards for aircraft; further definition of provisions restricting foreign control of U.S. airlines; and a ban on smoking onboard charter flights.

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 20 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, AFL-CIO