A quick summary of major and noteworthy events since the start of negotiations.
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December 10-14, 2007
The American Airlines and TWU Negotiating teams teams continue to have productive discussions at the negotiating table. Each of the teams has been able to make progress on several new articles.
Outside of the negotiating table, both the Company and TWU teams presented more than 60 items at a Toys for Tots ceremony at the Dallas area Marine Corps building on Dec. 12.
The Mechanic and Related negotiating teams reached tentative agreements (TAs) on four articles this week, Article 10: Seniority, Article 28: No Discrimination, and Recognition of Rights and Compliance (This was the second TA for Article 28 as there was a minor change in language), Article 33: No Strike-No Lockout and Article 44: Special Moving Allowance.
The Company’s internal subcommittee on Article 39: Physical Exam presented to the entire AA and TWU negotiating teams on Dec. 13, which was followed by a Q&A session with AA Medical employees and the TWU benefits committee. Also, the Mechanic and Related, Fleet Service and Stock Clerks subcommittee on Article 15: Reduction in Force met this week with the entire negotiating teams, and will reconvene after the first of the year.
The subcommittees allow additional dialogue on more complex issues and will ensure that the interests of each subgroup are represented and will help identify solutions.
The negotiating teams exchanged proposals dealing with Article 13: System Seniority List, Article 23: Attendance at Hearings, Investigations or Training Classes and Article 27: General. Discussions on these open issues will continue when talks resume on Jan. 7, 2008.
December 3-7, 2007
The American Airlines and TWU Negotiating teams continued to have meaningful and constructive discussions at the table this week. While each of the teams has had some issues to address, overall, both parties have made progress on several articles.
The Mechanic and Related negotiating teams reached tentative agreements (TAs) on two articles this week, covering Article 2: Definitions and Article 24: Absence from Duty.
Also, the TWU agreed to a Company proposal to form a subcommittee to discuss the final outstanding issue for Article 10: Seniority for Mechanic and Related and Stock Clerks (Joint Negotiations). The Mechanic and Related teams are forming a joint AA-TWU Mechanic and Related subcommittee to discuss Article 16: Recall, which will meet next week. The Mechanic and Related, Fleet Service and Stock Clerks subcommittee on Article 15: Reduction in Force will present to the full AA and TWU negotiating teams on Dec. 13. The Reduction in Force subcommittee was formed right before the Thanksgiving holiday.
The Company formed an internal subcommittee on Article 39: Physical Exam to examine issues that impact workgroups across the various contracts. The Company will present its Article 39 proposal to the entire AA and TWU negotiating teams on Dec. 13, and will include representatives from the TWU Benefits Committee and AA Medical team.
The subcommittees allow additional dialogue on more complex issues and will ensure that the interests of each subgroup are represented and will help identify solutions.
The negotiating teams have exchanged proposals dealing with Article 16: Recall, Article 17: Leave of Absences, Article 21: Rotation of Schedule, Article 26: Field Work, Article 28: No Discrimination, Recognition of Rights and Compliance and Article 33: No Strike-No Lock Out. Discussions on these open issues will continue when talks resume on Dec. 10, 2007.
November12-16, 2007
Overall, it was a productive week at the negotiating table. The parties opted to begin talks on issues where both sides shared goals and objectives as a way to make meaningful progress at the start. While some challenges remain on the agenda, the parties are at the table and we are working in a constructive manner.
The American Airlines and the TWU Negotiating teams reached tentative agreements (TAs) on four articles this week, covering Article 9: Probationary Periods, Article 14: Loss of Seniority, Article 20: Bulletin Boards and Article 38:Union Security.
In addition, the Mechanic and Related team have agreed to a Company proposal to form a subcommittee to discuss Article 15: Reduction in Force. This forum will allow additional dialogue on more complex issues and will ensure that the interests of each subgroup are represented and help identify solutions. The subcommittee is scheduled to meet on December 3, 2007.
The negotiating teams also have exchanged proposals dealing with Article 2: Definitions, Article 10: Seniority, Article 24: Absence from Duty, Article 28 Discrimination and Recognition of Rights and Compliance, and Article 39: Physical Exams and remain open. Discussions on these open issues will continue when talks resume after the Thanksgiving holiday on December 3, 2007.
November 9, 2007
The American Airlines and TWU negotiating committees met November 7-9 to formally commence the exchange of Section Six openers as part of the formal negotiations. Protocol agreements were reached for each of the committees and contract groups that will govern the negotiations process moving forward. These agreements will govern future meetings and include provisions such as information sharing, communications and other related items. Meetings will resume next week beginning November 12 at 1 p.m.
November 7, 2007
American Airlines and the TWU negotiating committees met today to exchange formal introductions and opening remarks. The parties agreed to meet on Nov. 8 to exchange formal Section 6 openers and continue discussions.
August 28, 2007
The TWU served the company with official notice that they intend to exercise the early opener provision of our current collective bargaining agreement. The letter received today is simply the official notification required by the Railway Labor Act, which governs the collective bargaining process. The collective bargaining agreements contain an early opener provision that allow either party to begin discussions in the two-year window before the contract becomes amendable on May 1, 2008.
