AFA-CWA Applauds Congress For Taking Action Against Norwegian Air Outsourcing Scheme

An amendment to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations, passed by the House of Representatives, will help ensure that U.S. airlines and aviation crew are afforded a level playing field for transatlantic flying, AFA-CWA said.

The measure, introduced by Reps. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA), requires that the Transportation Department follow the standards outlined in the U.S.-EU "Open Skies" agreement.

Currently, Norwegian Air International is threatening to undercut labor standards in both the U.S. and Europe by side stepping worker protections and evading international labor laws, resulting in unfair competition for airlines covered under the Open Skies agreement.

The Transportation Department is reviewing Norwegian Air's application for a foreign air carrier permit now.

"Our union is focused on stopping any scheme like Norwegian Air International from severely undercutting our airlines, threatening our jobs, and setting a harmful precedent that would undermine U.S. labor and safety rules. Together with aviation workers from across the industry, we will continue to push back against attempts to dodge laws and regulations that protect good jobs and the safest aviation system in the world," said AFA-CWA International President Sara Nelson.