March 11,201 0
Chairman Elizabeth Dougherty
National Mediation Board
1301 K Street NW, Suite 250 East
Washington, DC 20005-701 1
Dear Ms. Dougherty:
As you know, the Transport Workers Union and AMR have been involved in collective bargaining, spanning eleven contract groups since June of 2006 to present. All efforts to reach voluntary agreements through direct negotiations were exhausted, including facilitated and self imposed “super session” techniques.
Filings for Mediation Services straddled the period from April 2008 through January 2009. Once invoked, the parties continued under the direction of your staff, observing “recess sessions,” finally culminating in our recent attempt March 6 – 10, 201 0 to produce mutually acceptable terms.
I am disappointed to inform you, that despite your staffs best mediatory efforts, the parties have been unable to resolve the issues. However, three agreements at American Eagle are pending ratification; correspondingly, all seven of the American Airlines and one Eagle agreement remain unsettled.
It is the concerted opinion of International President James C. Little and me, that all reasonable efforts to reach an amicable agreement through mediation have failed. For that reason, please accept this notice as formal request to release the parties.
Respectfully Submitted,
John Conley
International Administrative Vice President
Director Air Transport Division
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