Says Mediation "Is In The Best Interests Of All Concerned"

The Allied Pilots Association, collective bargaining agent for the 12,000 pilots of American Airlines, appealed Thursday to the carrier's management to join in a request for National Mediation Board (NMB) involvement in the ongoing negotiations for a new pilot contract.

APA and American Airlines management began negotiations for a new contract in September 2006 after management triggered an "early-opener" provision in the pilots’ contract. This provision gives either party the option to initiate bargaining up to 18 months before the contract's May 1, 2008 amendable date, according to the union.
Under the Railway Labor Act -- which governs all airline industry labor negotiations -- contracts become amendable on an agreed-upon date, rather than expiring.

Despite the early start, however, to date negotiations between APA and AMR have amounted to little more than back-and-forth volleys across the bargaining table -- and, in the media. While such antics make for some good sound bites... it does little to speed the process along.

"It is in the best interests of all concerned -- including our pilots, the passengers we serve and our shareholders -- to bring our contract negotiations to a prompt conclusion," said APA President Captain Lloyd Hill. "We are hopeful that federal mediation will provide the necessary impetus to get a deal done quickly."

As ANN reported, American rejected one contract proposal offered by APA last November. Hill says APA presented American Airlines management with several such proposals, only to have AMR request a recess in the negotiations of several weeks to study APA's proposals. Management later responded by largely restating their previous positions, Hill says.

"Without question, we have made little progress in our negotiations, which is why we believe federal mediation is warranted," Hill said. He indicated APA would wait until close of business on Monday, January 14 for management’s response to the union’s request, before contacting the NMB directly.

American Airlines is the nation’s largest passenger airline, and fifth-largest cargo carrier.

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