Says Unions Are Conducting An 'Illegal Slowdown' To Influence Contract Talks

American Airlines has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Fort Worth, TX against the Transport Workers Union of American, AFL-CIO, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and Airline Mechanic and Related Employee Association.

CBS News reports that American is accusing the union employees of conducting an "illegal slowdown" in an effort to influence ongoing contract negotiations. The airline has asked the judge to intervene with a preliminary injunction to end the illegal activity, which the unions call "unfounded."

"In order to gain leverage in ongoing contract negotiations, the Union and its officers and members are engaged in the exact type of concerted behavior that courts have repeatedly held warrants an injunction to protect the traveling public," the suit states. In the court documents, the airline referenced the Railway Labor Act, which "prohibits airlines' employees from changing their normal behavior on a concerted basis in order to disrupt operations and obtain leverage in contract negotiations."

The airline further claims that "the evidence, including expert statistical data and anecdotal evidence, leaves no doubt that the Union and its members are engaged in an illegal slowdown."

American alleges that between February 4 and May 13 of this year, the unions' actions have allegedly led to 644 flights being cancelled and more than 270 maintenance delays. In all, more than 125,000 passengers have been affected.

International President John Samuelsen, who represents the Transport Workers Union, said the suit has no merit. "Allegations of a slowdown are unfounded," he told CBS. "This is an intimidation tactic by AA because the union is fighting back against their efforts to offshore thousands of solid blue collar Jet Mechanic jobs into South America. We will continue to battle AA to keep these jobs on USA soil and in doing so, ensure the safety of air travelers."

(Image from file)

FMI: Source report