Statement by CWA President Morton Bahr on the Senate's Refusal to Include Relief for Airline Workers

There is no question that a strong majority of lawmakers in the Senate supports relief and assistance for airline workers who have been left jobless because of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Yet a minority of senators – with the backing of the White House – succeeded in blocking assistance to some 140,000 airline workers who find themselves out of work and facing a grim economic future.

Congress responded quickly with a $15 billion bailout of the airline industry. But airline workers who need help now are being told by this minority of lawmakers to wait on some vague promise of relief that might come next month, or next year.

By refusing to include extended unemployment aid, health care assistance and job training in the airline security bill, the Senate is telling workers that their well-being just doesn't matter that much. Fortunately, a majority of senators is committed to fighting for real relief for airline workers, and CWA will continue to work with these lawmakers to make sure these workers and their families get the help they deserve.

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Among the 725,000 workers CWA represents are the 10,600 passenger service agents at US Airways.