Both Express Desire To Get Back To Negotiations

American Airlines and the Allied Pilots Association (APA) have both expressed an interest in getting negotiations underway again in an effort to resolve their long contract dispute. Each has sent a letter to the other saying it's time to get back to the bargaining table.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that after the pilots rejected the airline's last contract offer, the carrier began implementing work rules that it said were necessary for it to emerge from bankruptcy. But the result was a spate of flight cancellations which management said was caused by more pilots than usual calling in sick, and a higher rate of maintenance requests. The APA steadfastly denied that there was any coordinated job action taking place.

The union had asked the airline to put its request for a re-start of negotiations in writing, which it reportedly did in the form of a letter Monday. APA president Capt. Keith Wilson said in a statement posted Tuesday on the union website "AMR management sent APA a letter in which they formally conveyed their interest in re-engaging in negotiations with APA. They also reiterated their commitment to securing a consensual agreement with APA. I replied in a letter today that we are likewise interested in the resumption of talks and that we share the same commitment to reaching a consensual agreement on behalf of the pilots we represent." Wilson asked that the APA Board of Directors meet Wednesday at APA headquarters to provide guidance to the negotiators."

No firm date for the resumption of contract talks has been set.

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