7.03.20 – Extend the Payroll Support Program: Take Action Now!

Friday, July 3, 2020

Extend the Payroll Support Program: Take Action Now!

Our workforce is at a critical junction—in three months, the aviation Payroll Support Program (PSP) in the CARES Act will expire. This vital legislation has successfully kept thousands of US airline workers employed and covered under their healthcare plans during the pandemic. As the virus continues to spread and air travel remains historically low, time is running out for aviation workers like ourselves. If the PSP is not extended, many of us will likely be furloughed on October 1. Others will experience a drastic drop in seniority and other ill effects of a contracting workforce. But with Congressional intervention, this can all be avoided.

APFA and other unions are urgently calling for a six-month extension to the Payroll Support Program to protect us and our industry through March 31, 2021. The program has saved many aviation families because it successfully required that any support from Congress directly flow through to essential front-line workers like us. Renewal is the clearest and fastest path to maintain Congress’ historic commitment to keeping aviation workers on payroll—many of whom are on the front lines of this deadly virus. Most airlines are required to give their employees sixty days of notice before implementing involuntary furloughs. If Congress does not address the expiring program in July and airlines plan ahead for October, it could be too late. We need urgent action now.

There are many ways to reach out to your two Senators and one House member. We must call and write daily—that is three quick calls per day. We encourage you to use a combination of these options.

• Use the all-in-one APFA portal to email, call, and tweet your Representatives.
• Call the Capitol Switchboard to connect with your Representatives (202-224-3121).
• Find your Representatives’ websites and locate their contact form and office phone numbers.
• Contact your Representatives at their home offices to ask for an “in-district” virtual meeting.

Call script:

Hi, I am an American Airlines Flight Attendant, an APFA Union member, and your constituent. I am calling to ask you to take action to protect our jobs from involuntary furlough. Please extend the CARES Act Payroll Support Program that is scheduled to end on September 30th.

As the virus continues to spread and air travel remains at historic lows, many front-line workers are counting on Congress to support our industry. Without an extension, hundreds of thousands of aviation workers will lose our jobs and health insurance on October 1.

We urge you to support a six-month Payroll Support Program extension through March 31, 2021, to protect our jobs, extend the restrictions on stock buybacks, dividends, and executive compensation, and maintain service to all of our communities.
Aviation workers are standing together to call on Congress to pass a clean extension of the Payroll Support Program before the summer recess at the end of July.

Most importantly, we need your help informing other APFA members of how easy it is to make these calls and write these messages. There is too much at stake. We are 27,000 strong across all 50 states—together, we have the power to flood each office with our calls and emails.

In Solidarity,

Allie Malis
APFA Government Affairs Representative

Lori Glattly
APFA Government Affairs Representative

[email protected]