FORT WORTH, Texas (May 21, 2019) — On Monday, May 20, American Airlines management announced it had filed for a preliminary injunction against the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and the Transport Workers Union of America. Allied Pilots Association President Captain Daniel F. Carey released the following prepared statement in response:
“If American Airlines management really wants to know what’s wrong with this airline, all they have to do is look in the mirror. The problems at American Airlines are not caused by the proud, hard-working men and women of the IAM and TWU.
“For the past five years, the IAM and TWU have been engaged in good-faith negotiations with American Airlines management. Throughout this time, management has continued its insistence on offshoring even more of our airline’s maintenance work in the future. APA does not believe that represents the best approach to ensuring the highest standards of safety and reliability.
“All of the union-represented employees at American Airlines continue working under bankruptcy-era contracts, years after the conclusion of the merger with US Airways. Meanwhile, the executives at American Airlines continue to enrich themselves through myriad ‘incentive’ programs that are wholly disconnected from our airline’s lagging financial and operational performance.
“If American Airlines management truly wants to build a world-class airline, they need to take a hard look at their priorities. Rather than engaging in intimidation and litigation, they should be focusing on ways to deliver the culture change they have long promised.
“We stand with our IAM and TWU brothers and sisters in their efforts to maintain a safe operation and secure a fair contract.”
Founded in 1963, the Allied Pilots Association — the largest independent pilots union in the United States — is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. APA represents the 15,000 pilots of American Airlines, including several hundred pilots on full-time military leave of absence serving in the armed forces. The union’s website is AlliedPilots.org<https://www.