Issued October 04, 2023
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Mary Kay Henry, International President of the 2-million-member Service Employees International Union (SEIU), released the following statement endorsing Michael Whitaker for Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA):
“Our air travel system is at a breaking point, and so are the 300,000 airport service workers who keep our airports running through travel chaos, the pandemic and deadly, record-breaking heat – all without fair wages or affordable benefits. We need permanent FAA leadership to deal with the crisis facing our nation’s air travel system, and we applaud the President for taking this important role seriously with the nomination of Michael Whitaker.
As our air travel system deals with critical issues such as safety, flight delays, cancellations, understaffing and more, the FAA needs a competent leader who can address the challenges impacting workers and travelers alike. The FAA also needs a leader who listens to the airport service workers who have been raising their voices to demand Good Jobs for Good Airports national wage and benefit standards for the Black, brown and immigrant-powered workforce that is the foundation of our air travel system.
We’re confident that Michael Whitaker is that leader. We urge Congress to swiftly confirm Michael Whitaker as the next FAA Administrator so we can hit the ground running to create an aviation system that works for all of us.”