Unions Fight Back on DOT’s Norwegian Air Decision
Jennifer Billock January 13, 2017
Norwegian Air International is now allowed to fly in and out of the United States, but unions have a problem.
Back in December, Norwegian Air International received official approval from the Department of Transportation to fly in and out of the U.S. The decision came amid conflict from aviation unions though—and now those unions are petitioning an overturn of the approval.
The case was filed on Thursday by unions representing about 100,000 industry workers: the AFL-CIO, Allied Pilots Association, Transportation Trades Department, Air Line Pilots Association, and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.
“The administration’s decision to allow Norwegian Air International to operate in the U.S. is disappointing and undercuts key protections in place for working men and women,” AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka told USA Today.
The unions believe that Norwegian has its headquarters in Ireland in order to skirt labor regulations and standards, citing an Open Skies agreement with the European Union that says “opportunities created by the agreement are not intended to undermine labor standards.”
The airline itself denies the accusations and the DOT noted that nothing in the Open Skies agreement would have prevented Norwegian’s approval. Norwegian says it will benefit both economies by ordering more aircraft and hiring more American workers.
“This case is among the most novel and complex ever undertaken by the department,” Jenny Rosenberg, the DOT’s acting assistant secretary for international affairs, said in the nine-page decision reported by USA Today. “Regardless of our appreciation of the public policy arguments raised by opponents, we have been advised that the law and our bilateral obligations leave us no avenue to reject this application.”
[Photo: Shutterstock]
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al last !!!!! maybe these lazy unions will finally star work, and customer service will be better in America,
yeah they wouldn't complain if they were getting a piece of the action.
Yawn. Unions hate everything that could result in completion. If t the Big3 were a better choice, no one would fly on the start ups.
Cartels, whether they be airlines or unions, just HATE competition. Reminds me of DL's Bubba Anderson railing against the ME3. Anything that benefits the traveling public just sticks in their craw.