American Airways pilots vote for potential strike amid negotiations


Pilots speak as they take a look at the tail of an American Airways plane at Dallas-Ft Price Worldwide Airport.

Mike Stone | Reuters

American Airlines pilots have voted overwhelmingly to permit their labor union to name a strike whereas the service stated talks for a brand new contract are getting near a conclusion.

Pilot strikes are uncommon and would require permission from the federal Nationwide Mediation Board. The vote doesn’t suggest a choice to name a strike would occur instantly.

Greater than 96% of American’s pilots participated within the vote and 99% of them voted to permit the union to name a strike, the Allied Pilots Affiliation stated Monday.

The APA called the strike authorization vote in March as talks for a brand new deal dragged on. American Airways CEO Robert Isom had stated the airline was prepared to lift pay to match rival Delta Air Lines, whose pilots approved a four-year deal earlier this 12 months with 34% raises and different enhancements.

“At present marks a proud milestone in our pilot group’s unity and resolve and an essential step on our path to securing the contract we’ve got earned and deserve — one that stops administration from working at a reduction to our rivals and consists of our ‘will need to have’ quality-of-life priorities,” APA president Capt. Ed Sicher wrote to pilots Monday.

A spokeswoman for American Airways stated the service believes a deal is “inside attain” and {that a} “handful” of points are left to finish.

“The end line is in sight,” she stated in an announcement. “We perceive {that a} strike authorization vote is among the essential methods pilots specific their need to get a deal finished and we respect the message of voting outcomes.”

Together with increased 401(okay) contributions, on the finish of a possible four-year deal at American, a captain flying narrow-body planes would make $475,000 on the high of the dimensions whereas probably the most senior captains of wide-body planes would make $590,000 per 12 months, based mostly on a current contract proposal.

Pilot contract talks have been difficult all through the business, together with at American, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines, as pilots search not solely will increase in pay however quality-of-life enhancements comparable to higher, extra predictable schedules as journey demand improves following the pandemic.

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