Transportation Trades Department Secretary-Treasurer Greg Regan discussed funding for the aviation industry and what is at stake on the Sept. 28 episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast.
Regan began the segment by informing listeners of the CARES Act protections for airline workers that expire on Oct. 1. If Congress does not renew protections in the coming days, Regan said thousands of people will most likely be furloughed and put out of work.
He then said that AmTrak is in desperate need of funding. While they are not tied to the CARES Act, a lack of funding could leave thousands of people in the crosshairs of being put out of work. Regan said these people have been tagged as essential workers since it is a government service.
Regan then doubled back to the aviation industry, saying that the consequences of not extending protections stretch further than people being out of work. He said the expiration of protections could see some air service leave rural areas with no promise of returning.
Finally, Regan said that this type of funding is positively viewed on both sides of the aisle and should be something that can get done.