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Unite Here, an umbrella group of more than 270,000 union workers, is calling on Congress to allow airports to set their own Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) based on their local infrastructure needs.

The PFC has been a much-debated issue between proponents of raising the fee to almost twice what it is now, and airlines who say passengers are taxed with enough fees on their tickets.

Unite Here, whose U.S and Canadian members work in the hotel, gaming, food service, manufacturing, textile, distribution, laundry, transportation and airport industries, have gathered statements of support from unions across the country.

They sent a variation of a letter that looked like this:

“Our Unions represent hardworking men and women who build our nation’s airports and their runways, who prepare meals for travelers, who load and unload air cargo, who keep terminals clean and who keep the flying public safe.  Airports are economic engines in our communities.

We join airports in calling on Congress to reduce the federal limitation on the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC).  The PFC is a successful local program that airports need expanded to help keep infrastructure up to the demands of modern travel and to help get travelers’ flights out on time.  The Federal Government has not allowed a PFC increase in 15 years.

We believe airports should be able to set the PFC according to their local needs.”

Leaders from the following local labor federations and councils have issued statements or sent letters to Congress in support of airports on this issue:

Alameda Labor Council AFL-CIO

Arizona AFL-CIO

Atlanta-North Georgia Labor Council

Greater Boston Labor Council

Boston Metropolitan Building Trades Council

Chicago Federation of Labor

Chicago and Cook County Building and Construction Trades Council

Central Florida AFL-CIO (statement and resolution)

Central Indiana Labor Council

Metro Detroit AFL-CIO

Georgia AFL-CIO

Indiana AFL-CIO

Los Angeles and Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council

Massachusetts AFL-CIO

Michigan AFL-CIO

Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council

M.L. King County Labor Council

Nevada State AFL-CIO

Southern Nevada Central Labor Council

Greater New Orleans Central Labor Council

New York State AFL-CIO

New York City Central Labor Council

Northern Virginia Labor Federation

Oregon AFL-CIO

San Francisco Labor Council and Building Trades Council

San Mateo County Central Labor Council and Building Trades Council

South Bay Labor Council

Metropolitan Washington Council AFL-CIO

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