Continuing the Fight for the Safety and Job Security of Aviation Workers

On Wednesday, AFA-CWA International President Sara Nelson testified before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in a hearing titled, “Oversight of the U.S. Airline Industry.” President Nelson highlighted the issue of combative passengers who are increasingly threatening the safety and security of aviation workers, both in the air and on the ground at airports. “Lately we have been punching bags. Flight Attendants and aviation workers are saying please make it stop,” said Nelson. She added, “we urge the Department of Justice to ensure the arrest and prosecution of disruptive passengers on the plane and in the airport. Failing to ensure consequences for passengers who prevent passenger service agents from doing their jobs by assaulting, intimidating, or threatening them on the ground only increases the likelihood of problems in the air, too.”

President Nelson also applauded the bipartisan efforts of the committee to enact the Payroll Support Program (PSP), which was designed to curb the severe impacts and disruptions to the U.S. airline industry caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and protect the airline workforce.

You can get involved in the fight to protect aviation workers on the job by sending an email to Attorney General Merrick Garland asking him to fully enforce the laws against assaulting aviation workers. Click here to take action.