FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MARCH 22, 2020

[TRIANGLE, VA.] United Mine Workers of America International President Cecil E. Roberts issued the following statement today:

“The United Mine Workers of America was founded on a simple principle: ‘An injury to one is an injury to all.’ Today, the UMWA stands with our sisters and brothers in the aviation industry in opposition to the no-strings-attached corporate bailout proposed in the U.S. Senate.

“Taxpayer funds for the airlines should be used to keep workers on payroll, not to pad the pockets of CEOs and shareholders. Rural Americans cannot afford for the airlines to cut service to preserve cash during this national emergency, or to go bankrupt in the long term. We need a functioning aviation industry to provide us with medical supplies, the U.S. Mail, prescription drugs and other necessities.

“The aviation industry cannot survive without its workers. Keeping flight attendants, pilots, mechanics, and airport service workers on the payroll and connected to their health care should be Congress’ priority, not creating yet more sweetheart deals for CEOs. Congress only has one shot at this, it must get it right.”

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