I am an Aviation Mechanic, a role that carries immense responsibility for aircraft safety. Despite the high level of expertise and precision required in my job, our profession is currently classified as unskilled labor. This classification does not reflect the reality of our work nor does it respect the skills we have honed over years of dedicated service.

Aircraft Maintenance Technicians, Airframe and Power Plant Mechanics, among others in our field are responsible for ensuring that every single component of an aircraft is functioning correctly before it takes off. The safety of hundreds or even thousands of passengers rests on our shoulders each day. Yet, despite this enormous responsibility and the technical knowledge required to perform these tasks effectively, we are still considered 'unskilled'.

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians held about 131,500 jobs in 2019 alone. These professionals had to undergo rigorous training programs often requiring up to 18 months completion time along with continuous on-the-job training (Source: BLS). This clearly indicates a high level of skill involved.

We urge lawmakers and relevant authorities to reclassify Aircraft Maintenance Technicians and related professions from unskilled labor to skilled labor category. This change would not only properly recognize us for our skills but also provide us with appropriate benefits commensurate with our responsibilities.

Please sign this petition if you believe in fair recognition for all workers based on their skills and responsibilities.