Statement By Transport Workers Union Local 556 President Thom McDaniel
Posted on: Wednesday, 19 October 2005, 00:00 CDT
DALLAS, Oct. 18 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Following is a statement by Transport Workers Union Local 556 President Thom McDaniel on Wright Amendment and remarks by union leaders representing the views of American Airlines:
We are disappointed that the leaders of unions with whom we have worked closely are echoing American Airlines' company line and forgetting the rights of workers. The debate over repealing the Wright Amendment is not a commercial issue for Southwest employees. We are concerned about fairness and the right to practice our profession as other airline workers do.
Twenty-six years ago, a powerful congressman passed a sweetheart bill that benefited American Airlines and the new DFW airport and unfairly penalized those who made their living at Love Field. In 1979, Southwest flight attendants were wearing hot pants and go-go boots, but times have changed. The old Southwest uniform long ago was eliminated. Time is up for the Wright Amendment.
It was bad law 26 years ago and it's bad law today. Many cities have unrestricted use of more than one airport, yet only Dallas is restrained by federal law from fully using more than one.
Those who are most hurt by the Wright Amendment are consumers who want to fly to or from Dallas and are forced to pay an additional $200 million in ticket prices per year because of reduced competition.
Unions should be on the side of workers' and consumers' rights and lead the fight to repeal bad laws, not do the bidding of commercial interests. Unions such as the Allied Pilots Association, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants and other unions representing workers at American Airlines should know better.
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Transport Workers Union Local 556 represents nearly 8,000 flight attendants at Southwest Airlines. Southwest flight attendants are affiliated with both the Transport Workers Union of America and the AFL-CIO.
http://www.usnewswire.com
Source: U.S. Newswire
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