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US Airways Pilots Issue Statement of Support for Wisconsin Workers' Right to Union Representation

Dépèche transmise le 4 mars 2011 par Business Wire

US Airways Pilots Issue Statement of Support for Wisconsin Workers' Right to Union Representation

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The US Airline Pilots Association (USAPA), representing the pilots of US Airways, supports the state, local and municipal employees of Wisconsin in their fight to maintain their collective bargaining rights. Below is a statement provided by Captain Mike Cleary, president of USAPA:

"The governor and legislature of Wisconsin have embarked on an extremist attack on established labor laws that have existed for more than 50 years. Middle class families are at risk as Governor Walker attempts to blame and punish public sector workers for the state's economic woes. The economic crisis we find ourselves in wasn't caused by union workers in this country; it was caused by those in corporate America and on Wall Street who engaged in irresponsible lending practices.

"Wisconsin's public sector workers have already agreed to the cuts in benefits needed meet the governor's budget targets, but Governor Walker is going too far in his effort to strip them of their collective bargaining rights. This is a blatant attempt to reshape the labor-management landscape in America. The governor is seeking to shift the blame for America's problems from his corporate supporters to public sector workers and labor unions. His budget bill would deprive all state, local and municipal workers, teachers, nurses, and even some law enforcement officers of their rights to collectively bargain – rights that are enjoyed by Americans in the private sector, rights that are guaranteed in the Bill of Rights and rights that have been upheld by decisions of the Supreme Court.

"This is not just an attempt to overturn public sector labor protections in one state; this is the first stage of a widespread attack on worker's rights and on the middle class of America. The professional airline pilots of the US Airline Pilots Association stand behind our brothers and sisters in public sector unions against this attack."

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., the US Airline Pilots Association (USAPA) represents the more than 5,000 mainline pilots who fly for US Airways. USAPA's mission is to ensure safe flights for airline passengers by guaranteeing that their lives are in the hands of only the most qualified, competent and well-equipped pilots. USAPA will fight against any practices that may jeopardize its pilots' training, equipment, workplace environment, compensation or work/life balance, or that compromise its pilots' ability to execute the optimal flight. Visit the USAPA website at www.USAirlinePilots.org.