A quick summary of major and noteworthy events since the start of negotiations.
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American Airlines and the Transport Workers Union Stores negotiating committees met yesterday in Chicago to continue mediation with NMB Mediator Jack Kane.
The remaining open articles were discussed and both parties stated their positions. American reiterated its desire to reach agreements allowing the company to effectively manage costs, increase productivity and position American to compete now and in the future.
The next negotiating session is scheduled for the week of January 19, 2010 at a location to be determined.
The American Airlines and Transport Workers Union Fleet and Flight negotiating committees met under the guidance of Mediator Terri Brown on Wednesday, October 28 at Flagship University in Fort Worth, TX. American Airlines Vice President and Controller, Brian J. McMenamy, presented a financial update which included the company’s third quarter results, American Airlines recent financing initiatives and an industry comparison of third quarter results. Click here to view the presentation.
Following the presentation, the committees discussed next steps which included the scheduling of future sessions commencing in February 2010.
American remains committed to reaching an agreement with the TWU that allows the company to compete effectively and position employees for long-term success.
The American Airlines and Transport Workers Union's Fleet negotiating committees met Wednesday, July 29 in Chicago, Ill. The company thanked the TWU for its continued hard work and help since 2003 and also reviewed the challenges the airline industry has faced since that time.
The company believes, with the current economic uncertainty, it’s best to re-evaluate its current position. While the Fleet negotiating committees have made significant progress and have successfully narrowed some outstanding issues, difficult discussions remain as both sides must address the outstanding economic articles. American remains committed to reaching an agreement that allows the company to compete in the industry and positions both the company and its employees for long-term success.
The Mediator suggested both sides take some time to evaluate how the industry and the company are responding to existing financial pressures and has tentatively scheduled the next meeting for late October.
The American Airlines and Transport Workers Union Stores negotiations committees reconvened in mediation this week in Kansas City with NMB Mediator Jack Kane.
Tentative agreements were met on the Letters of Memorandum.
At the end of the week, Mediator Kane strongly recommended the company respond to all open articles at the next session. The mediator will set the next session at a later date.
American Airlines and the Transport Workers Union Stores negotiating committees met in Kansas City, Mo., for four days under the guidance of National Mediation Board mediator Jack Kane. The TWU provided the company with a comprehensive proposal, addressing all outstanding articles. The two parties were able to reach tentative agreements on four articles including Articles 2: Definitions, 11: Classifications & Qualifications, 39: Fitness for Duty and 46: One-Station Complex Agreements.
Mediator Kane has scheduled the next mediation sessions for July 13-17 in Kansas City, MO.
Fleet
American Airlines and the Transport Workers Union Fleet Service Clerk negotiating committees met in mediated sessions for two days under the guidance of National Mediation Board mediator Terri Brown. On Tuesday, American presented a counter proposal that addressed all outstanding articles. The TWU responded with its own counter proposal the following day, which the company is evaluating. American will provide a response at the next negotiating sessions scheduled by Mediator Brown for July 28-29 in Chicago, IL.
Flight
American Airlines and the Transport Workers Union Ground School Instructors and Simulator Technician negotiating committees met in mediated sessions for two days with mediator Terri Brown. On Wednesday, the company provided the TWU a counter proposal addressing all outstanding articles. American believes its proposal effectively balances the interests of both the TWU and the company. No agreement was reached after further discussions about the open articles. American is willing to consider any proposal that positions the company competitively within the industry while addressing the needs of the TWU.
Mediator Brown will schedule the next mediation sessions at a later date.
American Airlines and the TWU Flight negotiating committees met in mediated sessions for two days under the guidance of National Mediation Board mediator Terri Brown. The sessions were productive, and the two parties discussed several outstanding articles.
Discussions will continue June 3 and 4 at the Flagship University in Fort Worth, Texas.
The American Airlines and Transport Workers Union Simulator Technician and Ground School Instructor workgroups continued mediated discussions with Mediator Terri Brown this week.
The union presented comprehensive contract proposals for both workgroups. American will study the TWU proposals in preparation for the next negotiating session scheduled by Mediator Brown for May 28 and 29 at Flagship University.National Mediation Board Mediator Terri Brown informed the parties that at the request of the company, the May 12-14 mediation sessions between American Airlines and the Transport Workers Union Fleet workgroup have been canceled. Mediation is rescheduled for June 2-4 at Flagship University in Fort Worth, Texas.
American Airlines and the TWU Flight workgroup negotiating teams will resume mediated sessions May 12 at Flagship University.
The National Mediation Board announced it is realigning the mediators assigned to the TWU cases. Now, Mediator Jack Kane will oversee all of the M&E related agreements (Mechanic & Related, Technical Specialists and Stock Clerks). Mediator Terri Brown will continue overseeing the Fleet and Flight agreements (Dispatch, Fleet Service, Ground School Instructors and Simulator Technicians).
The next mediation sessions are scheduled as follows:
The American Airlines and Transport Workers Union Fleet Service negotiations committees met this week in Chicago, Ill. under the guidance of mediator Terri Brown. Mediator James McKenzie accompanied Brown to observe the proceedings.
A tentative agreement was reached on Article 39: Physical Examinations. The company also provided proposals to Articles 6: Overtime and 43: Part Time, which were balanced in an attempt to address both TWU and company interests. TWU responded to both proposals and American plans to reply during the next session currently scheduled for May 12-14.
Mediator Brown informed the committees the May session will be held in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. During this time, the company intends to respond to the remaining open articles.March 24-26, 2009
The American Airlines and Transport Workers Union Joint negotiations committees met in mediated sessions this week at Flagship University (FSU) in Fort Worth, TX. Mediator Terri Brown was present throughout the meetings.
On Tuesday, March 24, 2009, American's committee provided a financial update to the TWU covering the current state and the near term outlook of the company, the industry and the U.S. economy. Afterward, both parties established their current table positions on the remaining open articles. The company confirmed, as we had previously advised the TWU, that our current table position is the comprehensive proposals presented in September 2008.
On Wednesday, March 25, 2009 the TWU presented an economic proposal which included retroactive and prospective structural increases equating to over 20 percent for the life of the agreement. In addition, shift differential increases, double time for overtime after 12 hours, immediate snap back for holidays and vacations, phased in snap back for IOD and sick days were all included. The proposal did not address any of the company's interests as outlined in the September 2008 proposal.
After TWU presented the new proposal to the company, Mediator Brown suggested breaking up the Joint negotiations into separate sessions for each collective bargaining agreement. Mediator Brown has scheduled the Fleet Service committees to meet on April 20-23 in Chicago, IL.
January 30, 2009
The American Airlines Joint negotiating committee met with NMB mediator Terri Brown for the first time Friday morning at Flagship University. The meeting allowed American’s team members to introduce themselves to the mediator and to explain the company’s perspective regarding these negotiations.
Later in the afternoon, the company and union representatives met with the mediator to begin the process of scheduling future Joint negotiations sessions. The mediator set the following meeting schedule:
January 6, 2009
The National Mediation Board has assigned Terri Brown, as the mediator for the Joint negotiations between American Airlines and the Transport Workers Union. Ms. Brown has served as an airline and railroad mediator for the NMB since 2002. Previously, she served in a number of labor relations positions at the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak).
Mediated discussions are scheduled for January 29 and 30. The Company welcomes the NMB’s assistance to work toward reaching tentative agreements with the Joint workgroups.
