Recently I have become aware through an article from ARSA (Aeronautical Repair Station Association) that the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) has proposed language in the economic stimulus bill currently before Congress that would restrict the use of contract repair stations. This effort appears to be primarily aimed at foreign repair stations by requesting a moratorium be imposed on outsourcing of aircraft maintenance to such.
I thought this issue should be of interest to our readership in that I have heard two sides of the topic. Some state that this is needed to save American jobs, provide greater security, and ensure quality. Others state that this will be harmful to the economy by driving up costs and would invite retaliatory actions from EASA and other countries, and foreign repair stations do not impose a threat to aviation safety and are as secure as domestic repair stations.
ARSA points out that there are just 698 FAA certificated repair stations abroad while there are 1,200 EASA certificated domestic repair stations. Their argument is that this evidences the technological superiority of the United States and, in fact, creates jobs for skilled aircraft technicians.
The association also points out that the existence of FAA-approved maintenance abroad is integral to our industry, stating that the restriction of such use “will inhibit growth of American carriers.â€
A final point, the IBT proposal contains language that would, “provide economic and job-placement assistance to airline employees who have been displaced from their jobs or have incurred significant loss of pay and/or benefits as a result of airline bankruptcies and/or foreign outsourcing of their jobs.â€
I applaud ARSA in apprising us of this effort. While not necessarily agreeing with all their tenets, I do agree that aircraft maintenance technicians should be made aware of what the Teamsters are attempting to do through an attachment to an important bill before Congress. The Teamsters were a powerful force in the election of the new administration and therefore should have some influence in policy making.
My questions to our readership are these:
1. Do we need such legislation?
2. Will jobs be lost to contract maintenance outside the United States?
3. Are foreign repair stations adequately monitored for safety, security, and compliance by governing authorities?
4. Are U.S. airline maintenance requirements integral to the existence and growth of approved foreign repair stations?
I believe if such legislation is enacted considerable results will affect each and every reader of this publication. What do you think? I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
Due to the holidays we won’t have newsletters for the next two weeks. Merry Christmas!
To all the wonderful readers of this publication who have stuck with us through the tough times of 2008 by continuing to read and use our publication and have considered the purchase of our advertisers’ products, I and the AMT staff would like to thank you and wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
Christmas and the holiday season is a time to rejoice in what we have been given and fortunate enough to earn. It is a time to share our joy with family, friends, and others who may be less fortunate than we are.
Our best wishes to all and stay safe.