Pilots, Flight Attendants And Ground Workers Join Forces To
Pressure Carrier
While unions at American Airlines have generally enjoyed good
relations with each other, in recent years each major labor group
has flown solo in efforts to recoup wages and benefit cuts. Three
of those unions -- the Allied Pilots Association (APA), the
Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) and the
Transport Workers Union (TWU) -- have now pledged to combine
efforts to obtain new contracts for their members.
All three unions say workers at what is currently the world's
largest airline have suffered economically since 2003, when
employees agreed to help AMR stave off bankruptcy and right itself
in the competitive airline industry.
"On this Labor Day, we are sending a loud wake-up call to
management. American’s managers need to learn what business
they’re in. This is a service industry. American is reliant
on its workforce. You don’t have to work at this airline to
see how deeply morale has suffered in recent years," said James C.
Little, president of TWU, which represents 22,000 mechanics,
dispatchers and ramp employees. "Everyone knows that the industry
is in a difficult period, but our members have kept the planes
flying, found ways to boost productivity and produce new revenue.
Rather than being treated as partners we have been
patronized.”
Laura Glading, president of APFA, representing nearly 19,000
flight attendants, accused airline management of double-dealing,
paying lip service to employees while handing out million-dollar
bonuses to top executives. "Flight attendants are earning 30
percent less than they did five years ago, and many are struggling.
Meanwhile, top executives are patting themselves on the back and
padding their bank accounts."
"Airline executives have used the soaring cost of jet fuel as an
excuse not to negotiate a deal we can live with," said Capt. Lloyd
Hill, president of the 12,000-member APA. "But they wouldn't
bargain with any of us when oil was $70 a barrel. The problem isn't
high oil prices, the problem is our executives' lack of integrity.
American Airlines employees deserve better, and our unions will
demand it."
The three unions are developing joint plans for public
activities and communication to demonstrate their resolve to
restore their salaries and working conditions, as well as to
improve American Airlines service to air passengers.