Moves Stops Discussions Between US Airways, AA Pilots' Unions

US Airways and AMR Corp., the parent of American Airlines, have reportedly signed a non-disclosure agreement that prevents the two company's pilots unions from discussing a potential merger.

In a letter sent to the membership of the USAPA by its president, Scott Kirby, the pilots were informed that the NDA "prohibits US Airways from negotiating with unions at AMR and US Airways over terms and conditions related to a potential merger between the two companies."

According to a report in The Dallas Morning News, the agreement allows the sides to swap information considered confidential, but no negotiations may occur while the NDA remains in effect, and "the terms of the MOU between USAPA and US Airways cannot be clarified or changed."

The two unions had scheduled negotiations this week in Dallas. Those meetings have now been cancelled, and no date has been set to resume the talks. The letter states that any clarifications or changes to the Memorandum of Understanding signed between by the two unions with US Airways until a merger agreement is reached. Kirby said "this means that discussions concerning the MOU could not resume for a period of 30-90 days."

FMI: www.usairlinepilots.org