Northwest Aerospace News June | July Issue No. 15 | Page 50

Caring For You
in the CARES ACT
AFA advocacy ensured aerospace employers received federal COVID-19 relief
By Emily Wittman, President & CEO — Aerospace Futures Alliance
It is an understatement to say that 2020 is not the year that we expected. When we
should be fighting for flights to Farnborough, the aerospace industry is fighting for
our survival.
Emily Wittman
President & CEO
Aerospace Futures Alliance
https://www.afa-wa.com
AFA SPOTLIGHT
Months before layoffs hit other sectors, aerospace employers were contemplating
the word “furlough.” In early January, Spirit Aerosystems became the first 737
MAX supplier to publicly announce layoffs. At the same time, claims for MAX-related
unemployment insurance were quietly filed in Washington State. Employers
opted for the state’s Shared Work Program – reducing hours rather than lose talented
workers – and anticipated a return to service within the year.
How could they imagine skies devoid of aircraft, not just the 737 MAX?
Aerospace manufacturing is an essential business, both for the security of our nation
and for the resilience of our economy to weather economic crises. It was essential, then, that aerospace employers and the
families they support received due consideration in the COVID-19 relief packages.
As Washington’s aerospace trade association for advocacy, AFA represents the needs of the industry to local, state, and federal
policymakers. We have been especially busy advocating for resources to help aerospace companies of all sizes remain
resilient during this crisis.
50 NORTHWEST AEROSPACE NEWS