New Union Leader Says Compromise May Lead To A New Contract

David Bates, the new president of the Allied Pilots Association which represents pilots flying for American Airlines, said working with management may be the best course for obtaining a new contract.

Bates and new vice president Tony Chapman held their first news conference Thursday, along with secretary-treasurer Scott Shankland. The Dallas Morning News reports that, while Bates stopped short of criticizing the previous union leadership, he said "We plan to seek a new beginning with management ... to find the solutions to make it work for them and us."

Contract negotiations for American pilots have been going on since 2006. Bates said that in a meeting this week with American managers he told them he was ready to establish a dialog between the union and the company. He said while the union pilots deserves a raise of more than 50 percent, which would bring them back to their early 1990's pay, it was unlikely they would get it all back in one contract.

Bates said he is confident that American and the APA can get a new contract signed in time to salvage the airline's order for Dreamliners. That order is contingent on an agreement with the union for pay rates acknowledging the new aircraft type.

FMI: www.alliedpilots.org