Statement by TWU Air Transport Division Director
John M. Conley
on Decision by American Airlines’ Flight Attendants Union to Request Release From Mediation
Speaking for all 28,000 TWU members employed by AMR, we’re very disappointed that the flight attendants union was not able to reach an agreement with American Airlines. It now appears that APFA will seek release from mediation. We know where they’re coming from. It has become increasingly clear that management at American Airlines is not committed to reaching an agreement with the airlines’ workers and AMR’s unions must take additional steps to secure a new agreement.
Just sitting at the bargaining table is not negotiating. The flight attendants, like AMR’s ground workers, require a contract that is “ratifiable.” Our members who kept this company aloft by taking thirty percent wage cuts and making other sacrifices will not accept pennies for their labors, nor will they just grin and bear it when management is taking seven-figure bonuses.
American Airlines is gaining anti-trust immunity in the Atlantic and strengthening the Oneworld alliance in the Pacific, it’s stock is up 30 percent in February alone. If management would only address its labor issues it would fly even higher.
AMR’s executives are simply not recognizing the enormous contributions made by our members. Over the past four years we have utilized a facilitated approach, direct negotiations, mediation, super meditation and recess sessions, all to no avail. Releasing the parties is the natural order of progression and called for under the Railway Labor Act. TWU will be making an announcement about next steps in the bargaining process for ground workers next week.
Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) represents 200,000 workers and retirees, primarily in commercial aviation, public transportation and passenger railroads, including 28,000 workers at AMR. TWU represents more workers at AMR than any other labor organization. The union is an affiliate of the AFL-CIO.
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