Baggage handlers, dispatchers and mechanics for American Airlines took one step toward a strike today.
The Transport Workers Union of America asked the National Mediation Board to release it from mediation -- and start a 30-day cooling-off period.
That starts the clock for a possible strike.
TWU and the parent company of American Airlines, AMR, have a history of tension.
"We want equitable and rational agreements, we are prepared to negotiate, but we will not stand by as AMR executives are awarded large bonuses and our members are left with pennies," TWU Air Transport Division Director John M. Conley said in a written statement. "We will not move aimlessly, we will not go in reverse, as today's filing demonstrates – we plan to move forward."
American Airlines spokesperson Missy Latham responded in a written statement.
"We are disappointed that the TWU has chosen this course," Latham wrote "American remains committed to the mediation process and focused on making further progress with TWU at the negotiating table. American Airlines and the Transport Workers Union have been in mediated talks with most groups for just about a year and have reached tentative agreements on 73 percent of all items."
The Transport Workers Union of America asked the National Mediation Board to release it from mediation -- and start a 30-day cooling-off period.
That starts the clock for a possible strike.
TWU and the parent company of American Airlines, AMR, have a history of tension.
"We want equitable and rational agreements, we are prepared to negotiate, but we will not stand by as AMR executives are awarded large bonuses and our members are left with pennies," TWU Air Transport Division Director John M. Conley said in a written statement. "We will not move aimlessly, we will not go in reverse, as today's filing demonstrates – we plan to move forward."
American Airlines spokesperson Missy Latham responded in a written statement.
"We are disappointed that the TWU has chosen this course," Latham wrote "American remains committed to the mediation process and focused on making further progress with TWU at the negotiating table. American Airlines and the Transport Workers Union have been in mediated talks with most groups for just about a year and have reached tentative agreements on 73 percent of all items."
