aa73

American responds to unions' binding arbitration request
American Airlines Inc. today responded to a request by three of its unions to the National Mediation Board to
let them enter into binding arbitration to resolve their collective bargaining dispute by saying it's committed to
reaching consensual agreements at the bargaining table.
"We urge union leaders to focus their attention on the bargaining table and work to reach consensual deals,"
said American spokesman Bruce Hicks. "That should be our joint priority."
Last week, three unions representing employees at Fort Worth-based American asked the National Mediation
Board to let them enter into binding arbitration to resolve their collective bargaining dispute.
The Allied Pilots Association, Association of Professional Flight Attendants and the Transport Workers Union
sent letters to the National Mediation Board on March 8.
American, which filed for bankruptcy protection Nov. 29, has proposed cutting the about 13,000 jobs as part
of its restructuring.
The unions hope the Railway Labor Act, which governs labor relations in the airline industry, trumps the
federal bankruptcy code, which allows companies to reject labor contracts.
"The company and its unions are engaged in a well-defined, court-supervised process that is specifically
designed to guide fair and equitable changes to collective bargaining agreements," American's Hicks said
today. "Abandoning this tried, trusted and proven process now -- one that several other airlines have taken in
recent years and has produced the best outcomes for their constituents -- could bring unacceptable risks and
jeopardize American's future."
UPDATE, 3:30 p.m.
"We're somewhat disappointed," said Howie Schack, a spokesman for the Allied Pilots Association, which
represents about 8,000 active pilots at American. "It makes you wonder what they want to do. This is more
evidence that they want to resolve this a different way -- void our contract through the bankruptcy court."
The pilots union continues to negotiate with American and sat down with airline officials as recently as today,
he said.
"I anticipate we will continue to negotiate with the company going forward," Schack said. "We have not made
significant progress at the table, but both parties have been working to find solutions. We are hopeful that we
can reach a consensual agreement."

Bold text above indicates LMFAO portion.

Moose

"I anticipate we will continue to negotiate with the company going forward," Schack said. "We have not made significant progress at the table, but both parties have been working to find solutions. We are hopeful that we
can reach a consensual agreement."

If APA is asking for binding arbitration then why on earth would Schack say he is hopeful they can reach a consensual agreement? Kind of defeats the purpose of asking for binding arbitration when you say an agreement can hopefully be reached at the negotiating table.

aa73

He is just stating the facts. I agree with him. Now that binding arbitration is probably out, we are ALL hopeful we can come to a reasonable end to this.