ATW Daily News
AA flight attendants seek NMB release, threaten strike; ground workers say they're next
Friday March 5, 2010
American Airlines faces a growing labor problem as talks with its flight attendants broke down late Wednesday, leading to a strike threat, while its ground workers set a Monday deadline to reach an accord before taking action that could lead to a work stoppage.
The Assn. of Professional Flight Attendants said it will request that the National Mediation Board release it from mediated talks, which if granted would trigger a 30-day "cooling-off" period after which the 18,000 members would be allowed to strike. APFA claimed that AA management "left the bargaining table" abruptly after the union presented a proposal during a federally mediated negotiating session in Washington.
"Rather than take any time to consider this offer, the company exited the room informing APFA that it would not be in position to make a counter-proposal," the union said in a statement. APFA President Laura Glading said the move "shows complete disrespect and disregard for our hardworking flight attendants. . .When the bargaining party that sits across the table does not want to reach an agreement, that leaves the other party with no recourse other than to move to the next step." The union this weekend will begin "balloting of the membership for a strike vote," she said.
AA stated that APFA's description of management walking out of the talks is "categorically untrue," explaining that "the mediator recessed the session" so AA could review the union's proposal and devise a response for "our next negotiating session."
Meanwhile, the Transport Workers Union representing AA's 28,000 ground workers said it is "very disappointed that the flight attendants union was not able to reach an agreement with American Airlines. . .We know where they're coming from. It has become increasingly clear that management at American Airlines is not committed to reaching an agreement with the airline's workers."
TWU said that if it cannot reach an accord with AA management by Monday, it will follow the flight attendants and ask NMB for a release to begin a 30-day cooling-off period that could lead to a strike. It said union "sacrifices" allowed AA to survive the financial downturn and its members "will not accept pennies for their labors, nor will they just grin and bear it when management is taking seven-figure bonuses."
The Assn. of Professional Flight Attendants said it will request that the National Mediation Board release it from mediated talks, which if granted would trigger a 30-day "cooling-off" period after which the 18,000 members would be allowed to strike. APFA claimed that AA management "left the bargaining table" abruptly after the union presented a proposal during a federally mediated negotiating session in Washington.
"Rather than take any time to consider this offer, the company exited the room informing APFA that it would not be in position to make a counter-proposal," the union said in a statement. APFA President Laura Glading said the move "shows complete disrespect and disregard for our hardworking flight attendants. . .When the bargaining party that sits across the table does not want to reach an agreement, that leaves the other party with no recourse other than to move to the next step." The union this weekend will begin "balloting of the membership for a strike vote," she said.
AA stated that APFA's description of management walking out of the talks is "categorically untrue," explaining that "the mediator recessed the session" so AA could review the union's proposal and devise a response for "our next negotiating session."
Meanwhile, the Transport Workers Union representing AA's 28,000 ground workers said it is "very disappointed that the flight attendants union was not able to reach an agreement with American Airlines. . .We know where they're coming from. It has become increasingly clear that management at American Airlines is not committed to reaching an agreement with the airline's workers."
TWU said that if it cannot reach an accord with AA management by Monday, it will follow the flight attendants and ask NMB for a release to begin a 30-day cooling-off period that could lead to a strike. It said union "sacrifices" allowed AA to survive the financial downturn and its members "will not accept pennies for their labors, nor will they just grin and bear it when management is taking seven-figure bonuses."
by Aaron Karp
