Membership Communication  |  September 2026

IBT Aviation Advocacy

A Voice Where Decisions Are Made

Fellow Pilots,

One of the important benefits of Teamster representation is the presence and influence of the IBT in the federal aviation policy arena. Much of this work happens behind the scenes, but it can affect the regulatory, legislative, and political environment in which we work. We recently received an update from the IBT Department of Political and Legislative Action covering several significant developments that occurred within one week.

Jeff Anderson, a former Delta pilot who was supported by advocates of increasing the retirement age to 67, withdrew from consideration as the U.S. Ambassador to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

According to the IBT legislative update, IBT opposed the Anderson nomination and worked through relationships in Washington to raise concerns. The nomination had previously resurfaced after being stalled. Its withdrawal now appears final. IBT will participate in discussions with the White House and other aviation labor organizations regarding a replacement.

IBT endorsed retired Delta pilot Doug Ralph for the National Mediation Board (NMB). A Senate vote is expected September 24, and IBT will submit a formal letter supporting his confirmation. According to the IBT Department of Political and Legislative Action, IBT was the only labor union consulted by the White House when Ralph was initially considered.

Why IBT supported Ralph. The Board’s political majority was expected to change following the presidential transition, regardless of the individual nominee. According to the IBT Department of Political and Legislative Action, the International’s priority was to avoid the selection of a management-side labor attorney with little connection to line pilots or organized labor. After the White House raised Ralph’s name, IBT representatives reviewed his background and spoke with him directly. Ralph is a career Delta pilot, served on his MEC’s Government Affairs Committee, and was a union member in good standing. Based on those conversations, IBT believed he would bring direct pilot experience and an understanding of labor’s perspective to the Board.

IBT first supported Ralph privately and later publicly to help ensure he remained the nominee. From the International’s perspective, a former pilot and longtime union member was preferable to the likely alternatives as the Board’s majority changed.

Together, these developments demonstrate IBT’s active role in communicating with the White House and Congress, opposing nominees whose positions it believes could adversely affect pilots, and supporting candidates it believes will fairly serve the aviation industry and its employees.

IBT supported the Runway SAFE-T Act, which advanced through the Senate Commerce Committee with bipartisan involvement. The legislation includes additional training requirements for individuals operating vehicles on airport movement areas and was introduced in response to the Air Canada aircraft and ARFF vehicle accident at LaGuardia.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced bills including:

• Aviation Medication Transparency Act of 2026, which IBT endorsed, requiring the FAA to provide clearer consolidated information on approved and prohibited medications for pilots and air traffic controllers.
• Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act, advancing air mobility and emerging technology.
• Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act, addressing situational awareness improvements in the National Airspace System.

IBT does not simply monitor legislation after decisions are made. It evaluates proposals, communicates the labor position, endorses legislation it supports, opposes policies it considers harmful, and seeks improvements while bills are being developed.

The FAA issued an order establishing an agency-wide unified Safety Management System. IBT is reviewing and evaluating its potential effect. Read FAA Order 1030.8

The FAA has also provided additional information on the proposed SMART program, an $825 million initiative using AI tools to assist air traffic control. IBT is monitoring implementation. Read the FAA SMART overview

The National Academies are conducting private meetings with FAA Aeromedical representatives and subject matter experts regarding cannabis use, impairment, detectability, operational risk, and fitness for duty among pilots and air traffic controllers. According to the IBT update, the meetings are closed and no formal report is currently expected. IBT is tracking potential implications for safety and pilot medical policy.

IBT represents more than 1.3 million workers, including airline pilots. Its advocacy benefits from its broader membership, established relationships, and political reach, giving Local 2118 access to a national political and legislative operation.

Political and legislative influence often takes place through private discussions with the White House, Congress, federal agencies, regulators, and other aviation labor organizations. These relationships can affect federal positions, legislation, and policies while they are being developed.

Examples include opposing a nominee for a major international aviation position; supporting an NMB nominee; helping advance runway safety and medication transparency legislation; engaging Congress, the White House, and other aviation unions; and monitoring emerging FAA policies affecting safety, medical certification, air traffic control, and the future of the profession.

Our pilot group benefits from more than bargaining-table representation. The political reach and institutional strength of IBT are behind us.

Fraternally,
APA Teamsters Local 2118

SOURCE NOTE: IBT Department of Political and Legislative Action update and linked federal materials, September 2026.