American Airlines, Transport Workers Union open talks Tuesday

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-aaunion_02bus.ART.State.Edition1.1b3fc22.html

07:31 AM CST on Tuesday, December 2, 2008

By TERRY MAXON [e-mail]

American Airlines Inc. and its Transport Workers Union kick off 12 days of intense talks on Tuesday in hopes of getting a quick contract deal.

It'll mark the third time in 15 months that the airline and union have stepped up their negotiations with a goal of coming out with a new contract quickly.

But the two previous efforts foundered when union members objected to American's proposals on pay, benefits and concessions, and the outlook for a deal on this round remains about as uncertain as the U.S. economy.

The union, which asked for the latest round of accelerated discussions, and American have agreed to ask the National Mediation Board to step in and mediate the negotiations if the two sides don't work out an agreement by midnight Dec. 13.

"American's objective remains to reach an agreement that will address the key areas of interest as identified by the TWU," American spokeswoman Tami McLallen said Monday, "while recognizing the economic and competitive realities currently facing the industry and company."

"I think that both the company and our members want to get an agreement. In the next few days, we will either have a contract or we will be jointly filing for federal mediation," said John Conley, director of the TWU's Air Transport Division.

FULL story at link.

[Parche]

1. AA

Now that jet fuel is dropping, the airlines have breathing room

AA is slowly getting rid of their MD-80's that are not very fuel efficient anymore
and getting 737-800's
:hi: