Should fliers be worried about a strike at AA?
'Scathing letter signals decaying labor relations at American'
TodayThat's the headline from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (free registration), which reports the new leaders of American Airlines' pilots union have taken aim at company CEO Gerard Arpey that "in a blistering letter that disparages his leadership, condemns executive bonuses and claims that company sick-leave policies have resulted in suicide." In the letter, Allied Pilots Association president Lloyd Hill writes: "Enjoy your blood money and your union-busting. We'll see you in court, in the newspapers, and on the picket line." The Star-Telegram says the letter was sent Sept. 18 and was signed by two other union officials: union vice president Tom Westbrook and secretary-treasurer Bill Haug.
The newspaper notes all three union officials were elected by pilots on a platform calling for tougher dealings with management. The Star-Telegram says their "letter clearly signals a deteriorating state of labor relations. Its harsh allegations and personal tone are far more severe than correspondence with American management in recent years, even during times of conflict." As for the letter's claim that AA's sick-leave policies have spurred suicides, a union official "would not provide any details to substantiate that claim," the Star-Telegram writes. Union spokesman Karl Schricker tells The Dallas Morning News (free registration) "I don't know the statistics. I know that they have increased."
As for the sick-leave policy that has upset the union, The Associated Press writes that "pilots who miss work for 30 days are asked but not required to tell the company's medical department about their illness or injury." Union officials say that is "depriving pilots of sick pay or forcing them to return to work prematurely," according to AP. The Star-Telegram adds "the union claims that American has been using the policy to harass sick pilots to return to work." After having what appeared to be among the best labor-management relations among U.S. carriers, conditions at AA began have rapidly fallen apart over the past two years following roughly $250 million in bonuses paid to AA executives.
As for AA, spokeswoman Sue Gordon tells the Morning News the letter is part of the union's "corporate campaign" against the company. The sides began bargaining for a new contract in September 2006, with little progress so far. "We see this is another step in their campaign and their negotiating strategy," Gordon says to the Morning News. "We believe the interests of the pilots are best served when key issues like this are discussed at the negotiating table."
'Scathing letter signals decaying labor relations at American'
TodayThat's the headline from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (free registration), which reports the new leaders of American Airlines' pilots union have taken aim at company CEO Gerard Arpey that "in a blistering letter that disparages his leadership, condemns executive bonuses and claims that company sick-leave policies have resulted in suicide." In the letter, Allied Pilots Association president Lloyd Hill writes: "Enjoy your blood money and your union-busting. We'll see you in court, in the newspapers, and on the picket line." The Star-Telegram says the letter was sent Sept. 18 and was signed by two other union officials: union vice president Tom Westbrook and secretary-treasurer Bill Haug.
The newspaper notes all three union officials were elected by pilots on a platform calling for tougher dealings with management. The Star-Telegram says their "letter clearly signals a deteriorating state of labor relations. Its harsh allegations and personal tone are far more severe than correspondence with American management in recent years, even during times of conflict." As for the letter's claim that AA's sick-leave policies have spurred suicides, a union official "would not provide any details to substantiate that claim," the Star-Telegram writes. Union spokesman Karl Schricker tells The Dallas Morning News (free registration) "I don't know the statistics. I know that they have increased."
As for the sick-leave policy that has upset the union, The Associated Press writes that "pilots who miss work for 30 days are asked but not required to tell the company's medical department about their illness or injury." Union officials say that is "depriving pilots of sick pay or forcing them to return to work prematurely," according to AP. The Star-Telegram adds "the union claims that American has been using the policy to harass sick pilots to return to work." After having what appeared to be among the best labor-management relations among U.S. carriers, conditions at AA began have rapidly fallen apart over the past two years following roughly $250 million in bonuses paid to AA executives.
As for AA, spokeswoman Sue Gordon tells the Morning News the letter is part of the union's "corporate campaign" against the company. The sides began bargaining for a new contract in September 2006, with little progress so far. "We see this is another step in their campaign and their negotiating strategy," Gordon says to the Morning News. "We believe the interests of the pilots are best served when key issues like this are discussed at the negotiating table."
Not to worry, the good ol boys dont have the nads to strike ,they all talk a good game but they will take what the compAAny TWU tulsa union forces down thier mouths, a small % like the line guys have balls but when you have TUL with the most votes what do you do ? :blink:
