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.

FMI: www.apfa.org, www.alliedpilots.org