TWU “Suspends” Tentative Contract Agreement for 11,000 Fleet Service Workers at American Airlines
Unresolved Issues Prevent Union from Recommending Agreement to TWU Members
DALLAS –The Transport Workers Union of America (TWU), bargaining agent for fleet service workers at American Airlines, has “suspended” a tentative agreement announced last week with AMR for fleet service workers who handle baggage, clean aircraft, deice and fuel planes, move freight and are charged with other responsibilities on the ground at the airline.
TWU International President James C. Little, in reversing the actions of the fleet service bargaining team, which had decided to send the agreement to members with a “no” vote recommendation, said, “If we can’t recommend it, we’re not sending it. Certain issues on the bargaining table had not been resolved. This agreement should be considered suspended until outstanding issues are fully resolved.”
The parties held talks this week to correct the items under discussion. TWU had not intended to publicly release word of the suspension, however some members of the media learned of the change in status of the fleet contract prompting the public announcement.