Latest News - March 2010

March 12, 2010
American Airlines’ flight attendants union asks to be released from negotiations
Source: Star-Telegram
Author: Andrea Ahles

American Airlines' flight attendants union said it plans to ask federal authorities Tuesday to release it from negotiations with the Fort Worth-based carrier.

If the Association of Professional Flight Attendants does file for release with the National Mediation Board next week, it will be the second union at American asking for federal mediators to declare an impasse, the first step toward a possible strike. On Thursday, the Transport Workers Union gave the mediation board a letter asking for similar action.

"We share their frustration and anger with American management for its refusal to bargain in good faith, and we will ask for release from mediation at a meeting with the NMB next Tuesday," said Laura Glading, president of the flight attendants union.

The union has been in contract talks with American since January 2008 and has been in federal mediation since January 2009. To date, the union and American have agreed to almost three-fourths of the items in a new contract but are still negotiating wages, scheduling, and retiree medical and pension benefits.

No new mediated talks are scheduled between the flight attendants and American.

Under the Railway Labor Act, airline unions cannot strike without first asking the National Mediation Board to declare an impasse. If it does, a 30-day cooling-off period must expire before a strike or a lockout may occur.

Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/03/12/2036839/american-airlines-flight-attendants.html#ixzz0iYtJN0z1