Moves Carrier A Step Closer To Emerging From Bankruptcy

American Airlines cleared one of the last remaining hurdles to emerging from bankruptcy late last week, as its pilots' union agreed to a new labor agreement.

Allied Pilots Association President Capt. Keith Wilson (pictured) posted the following statement on the union's website:
 
"TENTATIVE AGREEMENT VOTE RESULTS: By a vote of 5,489 for and 1,951 against, the APA membership has voted to ratify the tentative agreement. More than 96 percent of eligible members participated in the ratification by casting a vote. Voting ended at noon Central today (Friday) and BallotPoint then tabulated the results shortly thereafter. APA Secretary-Treasurer First Officer Scott Shankland has certified the results as accurate.
 
"I want to thank everyone who took the time to cast a vote in this important ratification process. I also want to thank the APA Board of Directors and our many volunteers for their efforts throughout the past year since American Airlines entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
 
"APA will now turn its focus to helping to ensure that full consideration is given to strategic alternatives before American Airlines’ restructuring concludes. The APA leadership continues to support a merger with US Airways as the best path to a stronger, more competitive American Airlines that will in turn enhance our pilots’ long-term career prospects."

The Associated Press reports that American spokesman Bruce Hicks said the vote "gives us the certainty we need for American to successfully restructure."

Union spokesman Dennis Tajer said the contract could ease the way towards a merger between American and US Airways. He said it should in no way "be viewed as support for the American stand-alone plan or this current management team."

AMR Spokesman Hicks said that with voluntary departures and negotiations with its labor groups, the number of overall layoffs in the company has been reduced to about 3,000.

FMI: www.alliedpilots.org, www.aa.com