Labor issues are among airline industry's top concerns

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2008/01/06/3196583.htm



(Tulsa World (OK) (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Jan. 6--Labor issues will top American Airlines' agenda in 2008 as five-year contracts with unionized mechanics, pilots and flight attendants become amendable in May.

Members of the Transport Workers Union, Allied Pilots Association and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants gave up $1.62 billion a year in wages and benefits in 2003 to help American avert bankruptcy.

But now that the company has posted six straight profitable quarters, the unions want wages and benefits restored, labor leaders say.

"Labor is going to be a big item for us in 2008," said American spokesman Charlie Wilson. "We already have opened negotiations with the pilots and the TWU, and we anticipate opening them early (in 2008) with the flight attendants."

American will continue to invest in its aircraft maintenance operations.

In 2007, the company announced it would spend $100 million over two years to enhance its third-party maintenance, which provides maintenance, repair and overhaul services to more than two dozen airlines and aircraft companies.

FULL story at link.