On behalf of 40,000 workers in airports across the country, Phil Washington, President Biden’s nominee to serve as the next FAA Administrator, today received the endorsement of UNITE HERE, which represents 300,000 working people in the airport, hotel, gaming, food service, transportation, and laundry industries.    

“As you deliberate on your upcoming vote, I urge you to consider what is truly at stake. Our aviation ecosystem needs reliable, steadfast leadership to steward the FAA as they embark on an comprehensive overhaul of our aviation infrastructure,” wrote UNITE HERE President Dan Taylor in a letter to Committee-members.  “A leader who will prioritize working people and will put the safety of travelers at the forefront of every decision. Mr. Washington is a proven leader who is more than capable of serving as the next FAA Administrator. I strongly encourage you to vote to approve his nomination this week.”

The full letter is below and HERE.

March 21, 2023

The Honorable Maria Cantwell, Chair                

Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation                                         

U.S. Senate

The Honorable Ted Cruz, Ranking Member

Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation

U.S. Senate

RE: Phil Washington’s nomination to serve as FAA Administrator

Dear Chair Cantwell, Ranking Member Cruz and Members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation:

On behalf of the members of UNITE HERE, I write to express our support for Phil Washington to serve as the next Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. Mr. Washington is a seasoned executive with the experience and vision to lead our nation’s aviation system who has demonstrated an ability to work with all stakeholders, including labor unions. I urge you to bring him swiftly through the confirmation process, as our nation’s aviation system needs steadfast leadership.

Our members include workers in the gaming, hotel, food service and airport industries. Currently, we represent approximately 40,000 workers in airports across the country. These members perform essential roles in ensuring travelers can get meals and snacks in airports and onboard planes. It is critical that the next FAA Administrator will work as a partner and advocate for these essential workers. We are confident that Phil Washington will do so because he and his team have led the way to this kind of cooperation with our union in Denver, where he has served as CEO of Denver International Airport—the third busiest airport in the world—where he manages 35,000 employees and is responsible for moving over 69 million passengers yearly through the airport.

As you deliberate on your upcoming vote, I urge you to consider what is truly at stake. Our aviation ecosystem needs reliable, steadfast leadership to steward the FAA as they embark on an comprehensive overhaul of our aviation infrastructure. A leader who will prioritize working people and will put the safety of travelers at the forefront of every decision. Mr. Washington is a proven leader who is more than capable of serving as the next FAA Administrator. I strongly encourage you to vote to approve his nomination this week.

Sincerely,

D. Taylor

UNITE HERE President