Worldwide, one of the biggest threats to the aviation system are atypical employment models, such as the ones being used by Ryanair in several countries in Europe.  Employers—through a variety of schemes—use atypical employment to dissolve their direct relationship with their pilots and cabin crews. These arrangements, which may include misclassifying pilots as self-employed or independent contractors, are meant to undermine the right to collectively bargain and otherwise dismantle the traditional employee-employer relationship related to pay, benefits, and working conditions

ALPA is gratified and encouraged that the Trump administration has taken initial steps to end unfair trade practices and protect American jobs. The administration has rightly acknowledged that foreign government subsidies and a lack of transparency can affect a fair and equal opportunity for U.S. airlines to compete in the context of U.S. Open Skies agreements.

ALPA filed a lawsuit today to overturn the Obama administration’s unfathomable decision to permit Norwegian Air International (NAI) to fly to and from the United States. As part of the continuing efforts to reverse the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) misguided ruling that will negatively alter the future of the U.S. airline industry, ALPA and several other U.S. labor groups representing more than 100,000 aviation workers filed a petition for review of DOT’s decision in the U.S. court of appeals.

In an opinion piece published in The Hill on Monday, January 9, AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD) President Ed Wytkind delivers to Washington, D.C., readers a view that ALPA also shares: The Norwegian Air International (NAI) case will define President Obama’s aviation legacy. 

ALPA congratulates U.S.-based cabin crew members for Norwegian Air’s operations on their recent vote in favor of union representation by the Norwegian Cabin Crew Association.

As the world’s largest airline pilot union, ALPA is celebrating 85 years of championing high labor standards for North American airline industry workers and fair competition in the international marketplace.

The U.S.-based Norwegian Air cabin crew serves in long-haul operations and work intercontinental flights between Europe and the United States, and Thailand. Norwegian Air currently serves U.S. destinations including Boston, Las Vegas, Miami, Orlando, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco.