CORRECTING and REPLACING Labor Day Brings New Solidarity and a Change of Strategy for American Airlines' Unions

FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The contact information for David Roscow should read 703-276-2772 ext. 21 (sted 703-276-2722 ext. 21).

The corrected release reads:

LABOR DAY BRINGS NEW SOLIDARITY AND A CHANGE OF STRATEGY FOR AMERICAN AIRLINES’ UNIONS

Pilots, Flight Attendants and Ground Workers to Combine Efforts to Pressure American Airlines to Restore Lost Wages and Benefits

While unions at American Airlines have generally enjoyed good relations with each other, in recent years each major labor group has flown solo in efforts to recoup wages and benefit cuts. Three unions – the Allied Pilots Association (APA), the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) – have now pledged to combine efforts to obtain new contracts for their members. American’s workers have suffered economically since 2003, when employees agreed to help AMR stave off bankruptcy and right itself in the competitive airline industry.

"On this Labor Day, we are sending a loud wake-up call to management. American’s managers need to learn what business they’re in. This is a service industry. American is reliant on its workforce. You don’t have to work at this airline to see how deeply morale has suffered in recent years," said James C. Little, president of TWU, which represents 22,000 mechanics, dispatchers and ramp employees. “Everyone knows that the industry is in a difficult period, but our members have kept the planes flying, found ways to boost productivity and produce new revenue. Rather than being treated as partners we have been patronized.”

Laura Glading, president of APFA, representing nearly 19,000 flight attendants, accused airline management of double-dealing, paying lip service to employees while handing out million-dollar bonuses to top executives. "Flight attendants are earning 30 percent less than they did five years ago, and many are struggling. Meanwhile, top executives are patting themselves on the back and padding their bank accounts."

"Airline executives have used the soaring cost of jet fuel as an excuse not to negotiate a deal we can live with," said Capt. Lloyd Hill, president of the 12,000-member APA. "But they wouldn't bargain with any of us when oil was $70 a barrel. The problem isn't high oil prices, the problem is our executives' lack of integrity. American Airlines employees deserve better, and our unions will demand it."

The three unions are developing joint plans for public activities and communication to demonstrate their resolve to restore their salaries and working conditions, as well as to improve American Airlines service to air passengers.

APFA is the nation's largest independent flight attendant union representing more than 19,000 American Airlines Flight Attendants. www.apfa.org

Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) represents 130,000 workers, primarily in commercial aviation, public transportation and passenger railroads. The union is an affiliate of the AFL-CIO.

Founded in 1963, the Allied Pilots Association—the largest independent pilot union in the U.S.—is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. APA represents the 12,000 pilots of American Airlines, including 1,970 pilots on furlough. The furloughs began shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks. Also, several hundred American Airlines pilots are on full-time military leave of absence serving in the armed forces. The union’s Web site address is www.alliedpilots.org. American Airlines is the nation’s largest passenger carrier and fifth-largest cargo carrier.

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APFA
David Roscow, 703-276-2772 ext. 21
or
APA
Captain Karl Schricker, 817-302-2350/214-957-5275
or
TWU
Jamie Horwitz, 202-549-4921