Time is running out for many American workers. The Payroll Support Program—which prevents companies that receive CARES Act grants from making layoffs or involuntary furloughs and secures the pay and benefits for airline workers—expires on September 30. This fall, hundreds of thousands of more workers across our entire economy could lose their jobs and health insurance due to the pandemic.
While ALPA continues to do everything possible to mitigate layoffs within the airline industry, many ALPA pilots have already received notices of possible furlough this fall. Each and every one of our members who has received such a notice has the full support of their union, and with just a few clicks, you can add your voice to support workers in this critical time.
ALPA remains resilient, determined, and united—and this pandemic-related economic downturn has only steeled our resolve. We are fighting to protect pilots and their careers by urging government leaders for support as we work to restart our industry and welcome passengers back to the skies.
With the expiration of the CARES Act Payroll Support Program fast approaching and no end in sight to the pandemic, Congress is considering how to further support hardworking frontline employees.
A clean extension of the Payroll Support Program through March 31, 2021, would secure the pay and benefits of hundreds of thousands of workers who are currently facing an uncertain future, including airline pilots. As ALPA stated last month in an AFL-CIO coalition letter to a bipartisan group of House and Senate leaders, this is the simplest and fastest way to maintain Congress’ historic commitment to keep workers on the payroll—and get the airline economy back on track.
Just this week, ALPA president Capt. Joe DePete signed a joint letter with the leaders of 12 other labor organizations to urge House leadership to extend the Payroll Support Program in the next COVID-19 response legislation. The letter comes as a response to a bipartisan push from House members earlier this week highlighting for their peers in Congress the urgent need for this extension to support airline workers.
Airline pilots are Trained for Life—certain of our professionalism, training, and judgment. We are also certain that when we speak out to Congress, they listen. The time to act is now.
Will you add your name to save the jobs of hundreds of thousands of hardworking Americans and keep our economy on the right track?