Unions urge investigation of Norwegian Air International

WASHINGTON, DC – At a recent meeting of the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), the world’s largest Flight Attendant union, introduced a resolution calling for a full investigation of Norwegian Air International’s (NAI) labor standards and business practices. The initiative, which was adopted by the ITF, called upon the U.S. Department of Transportation, among others, to seek additional information about NAI’s labor plans in order to protect airline labor from the adverse consequences of circumventing international labor laws.

“AFA remains firmly opposed to any business model that targets the employment security of Flight Attendants and aviation workers. AFA has been working closely with fellow crewmembers to call attention to NAI’s scheme to contract out pilot and cabin crew jobs and we continue to call upon DOT Secretary Foxx to carefully review NAI’s application for a foreign air carrier permit,” said AFA International President Veda Shook.

NAI currently has an application before the Department of Transportation for a foreign air carrier permit and exemption authority to operate services from Europe to points in the U.S. NAI’s business plan is crafted to circumvent worker protections by evading international labor laws, creating unfair competition with U.S. carriers.

“AFA remains a strong advocate for global labor standards. For decades, we have worked to protect aviation careers while encouraging growth and opportunity. We are thankful to our colleagues at ITF who recognize that strong international labor standards are the backbone of a healthy and robust aviation system,” added Shook.

The ITF is a global union federation that promotes solidarity and coordinates activities among unions in the transportation sector around the world. Approximately 700 unions from some 150 countries are members of the ITF. Together, these groups represent over 4.5 million transport workers, including nearly 100,000 Flight Attendants in the United States.