Posted on 07/10/2009 8:27:31 AM PDT by FromLori
Calls to investigate the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are growing after media outlets revealed that immigrants with inadequate certifications may be working on American airplanes. In many cases, according to reports, mechanics who don’t even speak English are replacing qualified American workers.
"We just have to bring them before Congress and ask them what they're doing,” said Texas Rep. Ted Poe of Houston. “I will ask Congressman Oberstar of the Aviation Committee to hold hearings with the FAA regarding this whole situation."
WFAA-TV in Dallas and Fort Worth exposed the problems with an investigation in early July. “Reporters found that aliens are being brought into the country so that they can be paid less than American workers,” the TV station noted on its website. The investigation also charged that the immigrants' experience and credentials may be in question. Quoting insiders, the station claims “the companies that are importing the mechanics are so eager to save money, they’re overstating their qualifications. The result may be a threat to safety, abetted by lax enforcement of immigration law.”
The foreign mechanics working at San Antonio International Airport were mostly here on temporary permits called TN visas, a provision of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) designed to allow licensed professionals to work in other countries. Citing documents obtained from Mexican mechanics, the report found that many were not licensed anywhere, though they may have attended airplane repair school in Mexico. Other workers came from places like the Philippines, Chile, and a variety of other Asian and Latin American countries.
"The more experienced mechanics, we would get paired up with either one or two of these guys,” said a former mechanic with San Antonio Aerospace who was laid off. “They would watch us for a month or so. And that’s how they would get their training.” According to a former administrator, as soon as the American employees were let go, the foreign workers would arrive.
"They’ve employed over 200 since I left,” alleged Jada Williams, a former employee of Aircraft Workers Worldwide. The contracting company provided workers for companies owned by Singapore Technologies (ST) Aerospace, the largest aircraft repair company in the world. "And I know we had over a hundred when I was in there, just in Mobile,” she added, referring to Mobile Aerospace Engineering in Alabama, which like San Antonio Aerospace is controlled by ST Aerospace.
But Chye Kiat Ang, the president of the Singapore-based company, defended the firms’ actions. “They are as good as any American worker,” he said, explaining that between 10 percent and 15 percent of the employees were immigrants. “No one is working in a situation where they are forced to accept a lower wage,” Ang noted, adding that the company had found it difficult to recruit qualified Americans, who are required to be certified by an FAA-approved company.
The foreign workers also defended the companies. One of the Mexicans working at the San Antonio airport explained that mechanics in Mexico learn in English using English manuals. Another, Ruben Ramirez, said, “I can prove my skills with my documents.” The director of quality for San Antonio Aerospace added that the workers were very skilled and professional.
A spokesperson for the FAA, which is in charge of regulating the industry and frequently inspects the San Antonio facility, said the firm is not currently under investigation. But a former employee at the company alleges that before inspectors arrived they were given a one-hour warning. “A lot of guys who were not able to read English, they would hide those guys or send them home for the evening," he said.
Many of the foreign workers apply for Social Security numbers under their visas and stay longer than they are allowed to — sometimes forever. NAFTA has created a myriad of problems and hazards for the United States, and this is simply another example. NAFTA should be abolished so the United States can set its own responsible policies. And if it turns out that unqualified mechanics are really fixing our planes, there should be severe consequences for those responsible.
Meanwhile granny gets felt up by the TSA.
Then you need to go back and read the story again. It talks about many without verifiable credentials or training at all. And many more with sub-par training and little experience.
But why would that be a problem for you? If economics is the sole deciding factor than the sooner they get rid of the high-paid gringos the better. Right?
You provide no service and no value for the market but no doubt you have “helped” us all by being so very market driven
I provide no service and no value to the market, but the market thinks I'm worth $160k?
I take it you don't think much of the free market.
It was a collection of vague charges, and it substantiated nothing.
But why would that be a problem for you? If economics is the sole deciding factor than the sooner they get rid of the high-paid gringos the better. Right?
You don't like it when people make decisions based on economics? How do you propose to make decisions? Then again, it's pretty clear you don't know what it means to make decisions based on economics, so I can understand why you fear the concept.
Are you a member of a union? A supporter of unions?
I don’t think much of snarky “business men” who undercut SU workers by hiring immigrants ( illegal or otherwise) for jobs where they pay the worker less than the avaerage American wage in the same industry ( and maybe same job)just to save a few shekels. This was common in the IC industry in the 80s and everyone pooh poohed it as something that wouldn’t spread it was just to keep up.
If you are a lawyer or politician ( or friggin AIG slime ball) then you can pretty well get away with murder. I happen to make a veru good salary as well. Yes I spend some of my time behind the desk. What I see in my own field is the hideousness of saying there are no American workers and then low balling with immigrant labor.
Be as cute as you want. Oligarchies end in chaos and death for the so called elites.
I'm glad you think companies should be in the business of charity rather than making money. Obama agrees with you. You also seem to share his belief in the concept of a fair wage--that there's something wrong with paying less than that, even if someone is perfectly happy to work for less.
Have never said that at all. Howerver, I am NOT a globalist. Go to China and work there and tell me how wonderful it is. You are exactly the type who would slit an American’s throat to make an extra buck. Have a nice life. I believe that Shakespeare had it right. Oh and by the way, lawyers love to tell everyone else what is good for them and then never bother to submit themselves to the same laws. You and all of the Bernie Madoffs of the world can justify yourself in your own pea brain minds, it does not make you right.
I’m a libertarian. You’re the one telling me and others what we can buy, whom we can hire, etc.
But it’s good to know you love American enough to hate freedom.
Sorry Argie, this is happening for a fact. A friend of mine works for a major airline in Dallas as a A&P and he confirmed it for me. In addition, many airlines fly their planes to Mexico and other southern countries to have substandard inspections done. You should hear some of the stories my friend talks about concerning the foreigners repair techniques and procedures.
Delusional. I have not called for any of the things you have suggested
You have, but you’re not smart enough to recognize it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.