May 24 marks National Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Day. The following statement can be attributed to TWU Air Division Director and International Vice President Gary Peterson:
“The Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO, celebrates National AMT Day, honoring our 10,000+ Aviation Maintenance Technicians (AMT) who are responsible for the safety of flight of nearly 1,000 aircraft, in both base and line maintenance.
“What first began with several states officially recognizing May 24 as AMT Day, gained special recognition on April 30, 2008, when the U.S. House of Representatives passed House Resolution 444 honoring “the professional men and women who ensure the safety and security of our airborne aviation infrastructure, and recognize the life and memory of Charles Edward Taylor , the aviation maintenance technician who built and maintained the engine that was used to power the Wright brothers’ first controlled flying machine on December 17, 1903.
“I am honored to represent all my fellow AMT’s, who celebrate our craft today and those from TWU representatives who worked tirelessly, not looking for recognition individually, to promote the AMT craft and made the AMT Day recognition a reality.”