# Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Act of 2021

This bill creates a federal program to help aviation manufacturing companies keep workers employed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The government would pay half the salary and benefits costs for workers at risk of losing their jobs, while the companies pay the other half. The program would run from April 2020 through April 2023, giving companies up to three years of potential support.

To qualify for this assistance, an aviation company needs to show it lost at least 15 percent of its revenue between October 2019 and October 2020 due to the pandemic. The company must identify which workers are most at risk of being laid off or furloughed—specifically the bottom 25 percent of its workforce by pay level—and explain why it needs federal help to keep them employed. Senior executives and anyone making $200,000 or more are excluded from the program. The government would cover half of what it costs to keep these workers on payroll, including their salaries, benefits, and job training.

In exchange for this support, companies must agree not to lay off or furlough the protected workers for as long as they receive assistance. They cannot use the money for stock buybacks or dividend payments, and they must keep the jobs in the United States. Companies also cannot use this program to get around union contracts or worker protections. If workers were previously furloughed, the company must restore their original rights and seniority when bringing them back. The bill sets aside $15 billion in federal funding for this program and prevents companies from using both this assistance and a separate tax credit for employee retention that was part of the CARES Act.

Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Act of 2021

Larsen, Rick

Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Act of 2021 This bill makes available payroll assistance to eligible aviation employers impacted by the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. Specifically, aviation employers demonstrating at least a 15% decline in revenues and economic conditions that justify assistance may enter an agreement with the Secretary of the Treasury to receive up to 50% of the amount of total compensation for the 25% of its workforces most at risk of permanent reduction or furlough, excluding senior executive and highly-compensated employees. Assistance under this program is available through April 30, 2023, and Treasury must establish an application process and minimum eligibility requirements for participation in the program not later than 10 days after the enactment of this bill.