All Association Members,
This will serve as the official update to the Association membership for M&R, MLS, MCT, MTS, and Fleet Service.
As discussed in earlier communications, the Association met with American Airlines leadership this week to discuss the interest in a short-term economic only extension. During our initial sessions, we had thorough and meaningful discussions about the essential elements that would form the basis of a potential agreement. The American Airlines team came well-prepared and ready to discuss the framework of their economic proposal. In parallel, the Association Leadership Principals and Negotiating Teams held meetings to review and collaborate on practical options to pursue and reach an understanding of the facts that were presented. The Association teams came to a consensus and agreed to entertain an option that would best benefit the members we represent in all work groups.
The second day consisted of group meetings between the chairs and co-chairs of the negotiating committees and American Airlines labor teams to ascertain language consistent with the proposal. There are future meetings set up in September to continue the dialogue between the parties to get closer to an understanding and an agreement. We realize there may be an influx of information circulated on social media by folks that are not present in the room for any of these discussions and their speculations could at times set unmanageable expectations. These were our first sessions of meetings with the Company, and we urge our membership to understand the delicate nature of this process as we navigate forward. We ask that our membership rely on the facts and information that will be shared with you through our updates during this process.
The Association will publicize all information as it becomes available related to these discussions to keep you informed as it transpires, leading up to a possible short-term economic agreement. The next sessions of meetings are September 5th – 6th for the Maintenance and Related groups, September 12th for Fleet Service, then September 18th and 19th for all workgroups.
We thank you for your confidence and continued support.
Fraternally,
Your unified TWU/IAM Association Negotiation Committee
