eNews - August 8, 2011
FAA projects to start up again after pressure
Congress passed an extension to temporarily end the funding impasse that put a stop to hundreds of airport projects across the country, putting 4,000 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) workers and thousands of others out of work. This extension was given only after much pressure from Democratic leaders and labor groups, including the press conference held on Tuesday, Aug. 2, at the Oakland Airport’s tower-construction site.
It is becoming more evident how the current political climate in Washington, D.C. impacts the bottom line, the workers. At issue was $16.5 million in subsidies, which Republicans had refused to extend. With the project back on track, workers can return to work, and this state-of-the-art control tower will allow Oakland to expand its reach to more tourists, who will bring more jobs to the East Bay.
Local 3 Treasurer Pete Figueiredo and Oakland Mayor Jean Quan share their thoughts in this video clip from ABC7 News. Get more information on this now.