The Airline Industry in Africa Could Collapse Without Taxpayer Assistance at National Level

The Airline Industry in Africa Could Collapse Without Taxpayer Assistance at National Level

Aug 12, 2020 | Airlines, American, COVID, Featured News, Front Page, Hawaiian, MNPL, Uncategorized, United | 0 comments

As a consequence of the pandemic and associated restrictions, African airlines are forecast to lose $2 billion in 2020. Without urgent financial relief, the industry is at risk of collapse, putting about 3.3 million jobs and $33 billion in African GPD in jeopardy.

To date, the governments of Sub-Saharan Africa Rwanda, Senegal, Côte D’Ivoire and Burkina Faso have pledged a total of $311 million in direct financial support for air transport. A further $30 billion has been promised for air transport and tourism by a variety of governments and institutions throughout the region. However, much of the relief is yet to reach those in need due to bureaucracy and complex processes.

“Over $30 billion in financial support has been pledged to aviation and tourism in Africa,” said Muhammad Albakri, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East. “Some of this money has been allocated by governments, but far too little of it has reached its intended recipients. Governments and lenders need to urgently unchoke the bottlenecks so that the money can flow quickly, otherwise it will be too late to prevent closures and job losses. There will be no point re-opening the borders and skies if there is no industry left to speak of that is capable of supporting trade and tourism, which are the key components of any thriving economy.”

The harmonized adoption of the ICAO Take-Off guidance which outlines recommended biosafety measures, is also essential to the recovery of African aviation. The guidance includes adequate physical distancing, wearing face masks or coverings, enhanced sanitation and disinfection, health screening, contact tracing and the use of passenger health declaration forms. It also calls for testing, where rapid and reliable testing is available.

“To instill public confidence and avoid repeating the mistakes made after 9/11, which created disjointed airport security measures, governments and local authorities must adopt ICAO’s biosafety measures in a harmonized fashion and implement them consistently and diligently,” said Albakri. “This will also ensure that air travel is able to support the revival of economies without becoming a vector for spreading COVID-19.”

Air transport is at the core of the travel and tourism value chain. Combined the sectors support the livelihood of 24.6 million people across the continent, contribute $169 billion to Africa’s economy and represent 7.1% of the continent’s GDP.

“Containing the pandemic is the top priority,” said Albakri. “But without a lifeline of funding to keep the sector alive, and a roadmap to restart aviation safely as soon as possible, the economic devastation of COVID-19 could take Africa’s development back a decade or more. Aviation supports livelihoods, trade, education, good health and wellbeing, and quality education. It reduces hunger and poverty and ensures access to essential medical supplies and humanitarian aid, as proven throughout this crisis. Without an air transport industry, the people of Africa are at risk of not being able to realize their dreams and aspirations.”

Additional Resources  ///  Lobby Your Senator 

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Airlines Post Best Numbers in Months

Airlines Post Best Numbers in Months

Aug 11, 2020 | Airlines, American, COVID, Featured, Featured News, Front Page, Hawaiian, MNPL, Row 2, Uncategorized, United | 0 comments

More than 800,000 Americans passed through TSA checkpoints on Monday, the most since mid-March. The uptick comes as key Senators begin to voice support for an additional round of payroll assistance for airlines, and stock prices for carriers post their most significant gains in weeks.

According to federal data, 831,789 passengers boarded flights on Monday, marking the two best weeks for airlines in nearly five months and the second consecutive week of improvement.

Shares of United Airlines stock rose by a little over 9% on the news, closing at $37.54. American stocks jumped 7% to $14 a share. Hawaiian Airlines also showed steady improvement, rising by more than 4% to $13.77.

Despite the welcome news, overall passenger traffic remains low, at only 30% of what it was in 2019. Analysts are cautioning that the summer rush for airlines has not been enough to prevent potential job losses this fall.

In July, airline executives announced plans to cut nearly 100,000 positions as soon as federal protections expire on October 1. Overall, job losses in the sector could soar into the hundreds of thousands.

In response, a coalition of airline unions began asking their members to contact lawmakers asking for an extension of payroll assistance for carriers, which would postpone job cuts until March 2021. The largest such union, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, produced more than 3,000 messages and meetings with legislators. Airlines supported the union efforts, with CEOs at United, American, and Southwest offering public efforts to follow the lobbying campaign.

The Democratic Party-controlled House rounded up a majority of Congress willing to support extending the measure. In early August, key Republican Senators and Donald Trump also lent their support, leading many to believe that an additional $25 billion was becoming more likely. However, no plan to extend airline payroll assistance exists so far, and any future agreement may still be weeks away.

“We need to contact our lawmakers; it’s a job requirement at this point,” said IAMAW 141 Legislative Director Dave Roderick. “We can’t put up a ‘Mission Accomplished’ banner and go home,” he said. “We need this assistance as soon as possible. Too many union members live with the stress of not knowing if they will have careers this fall. Every day that goes by without a deal is unacceptable.”

Additional Resources  ///  Lobby Your Senator 

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DO IT AGAIN: Keep Asking Your Senator to Support Airline Payroll Protection Until a Deal Passes

DO IT AGAIN: Keep Asking Your Senator to Support Airline Payroll Protection Until a Deal Passes

Aug 10, 2020 | Airlines, COVID, Featured, Featured News, Front Page, GOIAM Stories, MNPL, Organizing, Row 2, Uncategorized | 1 comment

The IAMAW, along with a coalition of airline unions, is gaining momentum on Capitol Hill. After securing support from a bipartisan majority of the U.S. House, the IAM needs your help convincing the Senate that they must act now to save hundreds of thousands of airline jobs before funding runs out on October 1.
 
The IAM sent a letter this week to every member of the U.S. Senate encouraging them to support a clean extension of the airline Payroll Support Program, resulting in 16 GOP Senators, led by Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO), throwing their support behind the program. Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (NY) has already pledged his caucus’s support for a clean extension.
 
President Trump endorsed the program at a White House press conference on Wednesday.
 
 
“We are encouraged that the airlines have been in talks with Treasury Secretary Mnuchin and White House Economic Advisor Kudlow about extending the program,” said IAM Transportation General Vice President Sito Pantoja. “Now it’s up to the White House and Majority Leader McConnell to help the hundreds of thousands of airline families across the country whose livelihoods are at risk without further aid.”
 
“This is not a partisan issue,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “We already have the support of Leader Schumer and Speaker Pelosi and applaud Sen. Gardner and the GOP senators who joined us in this critical fight to get a clean extension of the airline payroll support program. We strongly believe we have the votes in both the House and Senate to get a clean extension of the airline payroll support program passed.”

Additional Resources  ///  Lobby Your Senator 

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District 141 Video Report With PHX Local President, Donald Carbonneau

District 141 Video Report With PHX Local President, Donald Carbonneau

Aug 7, 2020 | Airlines, American, COVID, Featured, Featured News, Front Page, Organizing, Row 2, Uncategorized, United, Video | 0 comments

A Conversation With New President of Phoenix’s Local 2559, Don Carbonneau.

Brother Don Carbonneau talks about Sky Harbor Lodge and the job of being  a Local President during the pandemic.

Brother Don Started his airline career in 1996 at America West Airlines, where he accumulated 24 years of experience. He is now with American Airlines as a Fleet Service Employee.

When the workers at American West unionized with TWU in 2000, Don Volunteered as a Shop Steward in Phoenix to help serve the membership. From 2001-03, Don Served as TWU Grievance Chairperson in Phoenix.

In 2006, Don transferred with the recently merged US Airways to Boston where he served again as a Shop Steward. In 2011, he worked on the IAM Grievance Committee in Boston under Committee chair Steve Miller. Miller currently serves as Assistant General Chair for District 141. In 2015 Brother Don transferred with American Airlines to Charlotte, North Carolina, and then in 2016 transferred yet again, this time returning to Phoenix. Once back in his home city, Don served as IAM Shop Steward and a term on the Grievance Committee.

Brother Don then was elected just this year as President of his local in Phoenix, for a 3-year term which began January 1, 2020.

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The Other “C” Word

The Other “C” Word

Aug 5, 2020 | Featured, Featured News, Front Page, MNPL, Uncategorized | 0 comments

En Español ///

The Census Bureau just announced they will end all efforts for a national count in September. Did you fill out your Census form?

A Little History:
The framers of the US Constitution chose to make a count of people, not land or wealth, to determine political power. Article I mandates a count every ten years, following the first census conducted in 1790 when George Washington was president. 

Why Should I Care?
The government uses the information gathered by the Census Bureau to determine representation in Congress, in the Electoral College, and also to guide the distribution of public funds. An undercount of the population can have a severe negative impact on any community, which stands to lose funding for education and school lunches, public transport, roads, bridges and other infrastructure, hospitals and health programs, the arts, and many other public works for a decade. By filling out the 2020 Census form, you are doing your part to ensure that your community receives its fair share of over $675 billion available annually for vital community programs.

How Do I Make Myself Count?
Beginning in March, the Census Bureau mailed invitations to homes asking residents to participate. If you did not receive any mail from the Census Bureau, you can still respond via email or phone. Visit my2020census.gov to begin the process. It only takes 10 minutes, on average, to complete the questionnaire. You can also respond via phone at 844-330-2020. There is assistance available over the phone in 13 languages other than English. There are also guides and instructions available for download in 59 languages.

Is My Information Safe?
Yes. The Census Bureau can only use your information to produce statistics and is prohibited from releasing information that could identify you or your household. Your personal information cannot be shared with another government agency, court, financial institution, or landlord. A violation of this confidentiality is a federal crime with severe penalties. More information about the privacy policies of the US Census can be found HERE.

The Census In the Time of COVID:
The coronavirus pandemic has forced the Census Bureau to suspend or delay most field operations critical to getting an accurate count. If you are interested in a temporary job to help complete the census, there may be opportunities in your area. COVID restrictions on neighborhood canvassing are key reasons why completing the 2020 Census online or over the phone is so important. 

LET’S DO THIS!
The self-response rate for the 2020 Census is currently at a rate of 55% to 63% nationwide. It is lowest in areas with high concentrations of people of color and young children, populations who stand to benefit most from an accurate count and the resulting fair distribution of dollars for programs such as Head Start, the National School Lunch Program, and housing and educational programs. This low rate of response is important to address because, in the past, young children and people of color have had a higher risk of being missed in the count.

Protect Our Democracy:
Your response to the census will be used to determine the number of representatives your state is entitled to have in the House of Representatives and the number of voters it has in the Electoral College. While the total number of Members of Congress remains constant at 435, the number of each state’s representatives is determined by a process of apportionment that divides that number according to each state’s population. So besides making sure your community is receiving its fair share of tax dollars, filling out the census protects your political power by making sure you have the right number of people representing you in Congress. 

The whole thing is scheduled to be shut down on September 30, 2020, and there are no do-overs for 10 years. Do your part and make sure your family and your community is counted. Fill out the 2020 Census. Do it today.  

Additional Resources /// 2020 US Census Website

 

 

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New House Measure Would Require Masks on Flights

New House Measure Would Require Masks on Flights

Aug 4, 2020 | Airlines, COVID, Featured News, Front Page, MNPL, Row 2, Uncategorized | 0 comments

The Healthy Flights Act of 2020 protects passengers and also ensures pilots, flight attendants, and other airline employees are provided masks and other protective equipment, requires the development of a national aviation pandemic preparedness plan, and commissions a study on transmission of infectious diseases in airplane cabins.

Washington, D.C. — Last week, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation Rick Larsen (D-WA) led 18 Members of Congress in the introduction of the Healthy Flights Act of 2020, which will provide a set of uniform requirements to help keep passengers and airline and airport workers healthy by minimizing transmission of the virus through our air transportation system. The Healthy Flights Act also helps prepare U.S. aviation stakeholders for future infectious disease pandemics and epidemics through the development of a national preparedness plan to define the aviation system’s response to future outbreaks and by advancing scientific research.

Specifically, the bill

  • Clarifies the FAA’s authority to impose any requirements on passenger and cargo air travel necessary to protect the health and safety of airline workers and passengers during public health emergencies;
  • Requires that passengers must wear masks on board aircraft and within airports, and also requires issuance of masks and other protective equipment to airline employees and certain FAA employees (including air traffic controllers and aviation safety inspectors), during any public health emergency that is caused by an airborne disease;
  • Mandates the development of a national aviation preparedness plan to respond to epidemics or pandemics;
  • Calls for a study on transmission of infectious diseases in airplane cabins; and
  • Creates an FAA Center of Excellence on Infectious Disease Response and Prevention in Aviation to advise the FAA Administrator on infectious diseases and air travel.

“I really can’t see any downsides to this bill,” said International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 141 Legislative Director Dave Roderick. “How we deal with this pandemic, the effort that we are willing to put into the protection of our nation, the sacrifices and responsibilities that we are willing to take on…these things will define our generation for the duration of the Republic.”

“All airline workers should help defend our industry. This disease should not be allowed to get past us,” Roderick said.

“As Chair of the Aviation Subcommittee, I make air travel safety my top priority,” Chair Rick Larsen said. “Keeping the flying public safe from COVID is even more difficult because of the lack of coordinated federal leadership. This bill includes commonsense measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 in air travel, ensure the safety of passengers and frontline aviation workers, and better prepare the U.S. aviation industry for public health crises.”

In June, District 141 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, one of the largest groups of airline/aviation workers in North America, recommended that all airline workers wear masks whenever social distancing could not be reliably maintained. IAMAW District 141 President and Directing General Chair, Mike Klemm issued a statement at the time telling union members that their safety could not be compromised under any circumstances. “My foremost concern is your health and well-being as we adapt to life during this pandemic,” Klemm told union members. “Protecting our industry and our jobs will require a collective effort from all of us. I ask the members of IAMAW District 141 to protect yourselves, protect your co-workers, and protect your loved ones who depend on you every day.”

Additional resources: Fact Sheet | Section by Section| Bill Text

 

 

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