Airline COVID Relief Update and CALL TO ACTION
There has been progress on extension of the Payroll Support Program for airline workers. We wanted to give you a legislative update and urge you to call and tell your Congressional representative to pass the American Rescue Act.
Last week, the U.S. Senate passed a budget resolution paving the way for a new COVID-19 relief bill called the American Rescue Act. The House Financial Services Committee and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee released bills outlining relief for the industries they oversee. Both bills include an extension of the Payroll Support Program (PSP) through Sept 30, 2021, and an additional $15 billion in funds to help airlines maintain their payrolls.
Both committees have scheduled sessions this week to approve the new legislation. Following passage in the committees, the bills would be sent to the Budget Committee for approval before a vote by the entire House of Representatives.
We don't have to tell you that as workers in the airline industry we're facing an unprecedented crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But thanks to our mobilization over the past year, crucial assistance in the form of the PSP was passed last spring and extended in December to maintain airline payrolls through March 31, 2021. All the calls we made to members of Congress made a difference for thousands of our co-workers and their families.
Now Congress is voting on the American Rescue Act, which includes extension of the PSP through September 30, 2021. It's time to mobilize again! And it's just as important now as it was last March.
Please, call your Congressional representative today, and every day, until the bill passes. It's simple and it only takes a few minutes. Just click here to be connected to your Congressional representative and tell them that we need urgent action to make sure this vital support for our families continues.
Piedmont Airline Workers Picket for Livable Wages & Safety