Submitted by Office and Professional Employees International Union
Referred to the Legislation and Policy Committee
WHEREAS, Professional Helicopter Pilots Association/Office and Professional Employees International Union represents thousands of pilots who fly helicopters throughout the United States and Canada; and
WHEREAS, the helicopter pilots are licensed professionals who advocate high safety standards to reduce preventable accidents in the aircraft industry; and
WHEREAS, helicopter safety requires safe aircraft, well-trained pilots and a safe environment in which to operate; and
WHEREAS, some helicopter owners/operators perform inadequate aircraft maintenance, fail to sufficiently train their pilots and refuse to permit flight crews sufficient rest between flights; and
WHEREAS, recently there has been a marked increase in high-profile helicopter accidents; and
WHEREAS, there is a need for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to take action to strengthen the safety and maintenance regulation standards for operational control; and
WHEREAS, the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have recently called attention to this situation;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the AFL-CIO and its member unions support and encourage the FAA’s efforts to establish higher standards that will improve the safety of this industry; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the AFL-CIO and its Transportation Trades Department will continue to monitor the FAA’s progress in establishing enhanced minimum safety standards and to consult with the Professional Helicopter Pilots Association/Office and Professional Employees International Union in this important effort.