FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 16, 2024

A Win for Aircraft Maintenance Workers: FAA Finalizes Drug and Alcohol Testing Rule for Foreign Aircraft Repair Stations 

The Federal Aviation Administration published a final rule on Monday that requires foreign aircraft maintenance facilities to create and maintain drug and alcohol testing for workers – ensuring that airlines cannot skirt safety rules when they choose to outsource work abroad.  

“This closes a major safety gap that the Transport Workers Union has fought to end for decades,” said TWU International President John Samuelsen. “And because the cost of drug and alcohol testing discourages airlines from farming repair work abroad, it creates an opportunity for more jobs to be done by qualified mechanics in America.” 

The final rule will publish in the federal register on Wednesday and take effect next month. Foreign repair stations must be fully compliant with the new rule by Dec. 20, 2027.  

“American air carriers have shed thousands of aircraft maintenance jobs in recent years and transferred that work to foreign aircraft repair stations. This rule will change that trend, making flying even safer for the traveling public going forward,” said TWU Air Division Director Andre Sutton.  

The final rule comes months after Congress passed a FAA Reauthorization that requires at least one unannounced safety inspection at foreign aircraft repair stations each year, minimum qualifications for mechanics abroad who work on aircraft registered in the United States, and background checks for workers who perform sensitive safety-related work. These new standards set by Congress are separate from the drug and alcohol testing final rule and must be implemented by the FAA.  

“Today’s final rule is a major victory and now we must ensure that the FAA carries out the new law from Congress to further ensure that foreign aircraft maintenance facilities and their workers are subject to the same standards as American workers,” Samuelsen said.  

The TWU represents more than 155,000 workers across the airline, railroad, transit, universities, utilities and service sectors. The TWU is the largest airline workers union in the United States.

On behalf of the Transport Workers Union | Local 570, we thank you, Mr. Hector Bravo and Mr. Emmanuel Petrakis, for your heroic effort to save the life of Michael Tolfa, an American Eagle Aircraft Mechanic and retired USMC Sergeant, by performing CPR. Your brave and selfless actions serve as a reminder of the importance of looking out for one another and coming together in times of need. Your courage and dedication to your fellow Union Brother is an example that will long be remembered.

Envoy Air Presidents from Locals 570, 571, 572, 575, and 576 resumed council meetings at the TWU International Offices with International Rep. Jose Galarza this week, where they collaborated and built strategies for advancing the fight.