The National Mediation Board (NMB) today certified the TWU-IAM Association for the Fleet Service, Mechanic and Related and Stores classifications as the collective bargain- ing agent for all of the above classifications at American Airlines.
All three Associations were formed following the merger of US Airways and American Airlines. Both the Transport Workers Union (TWU) and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) agreed to jointly represent Fleet Service, Mechanic and Related, and Stores employees at the merged carrier instead of engaging in a long, costly and acrimonious representation dispute.
“With today’s ruling, the Associations can now get down to the business of negotiating the industry’s best contracts that our members deserve,” said TWU President Harry Lombardo and IAM General Vice President Sito Pantoja in a joint statement.
The Associations requested on August 16, 2014 that the NMB make a determination of single carrier status for all classes and crafts covered by the Employee Associations. The NMB ruled on April 15, 2015 that American was operating as a single carrier for all groups covered by the Associations’ filing. The NMB’s process allowed a 30-day period after a single carrier determination for any intervenor to supply a showing of interest to compete for representation of the employees affected. No such showing of interest was filed resulting in the Board issuing a certification of the TWU-IAM Associations as the recognized bargaining agents.
The TWU-IAM Association represents approximately 30,000 ground workers at American Airlines and is the largest union at the carrier.