I’m sure many of you are aware that most union groups at American are in mediation and have been for several years. Today an article was shared with me that described the current state of negotiations in some detail, and it is eye opening to say the least. Without releasing the parties to self help, according to the article this is what happened;
“A National Mediation Board mediator recessed talks last month between American and the union for 11,000 mechanics over a lack of progress and didn’t set new sessions, after a similar outcome for baggage handlers in July. An April NMB session ended with no dates for more talks with 17,000 attendants.”
And further down in the article; “The National Mediation Board declined to comment on the status of American’s labor talks. With the freeze, American isn’t getting its sought-after savings, and its work groups don’t have payback for the 2003 concessions or the required federal clearance to move toward a strike.”
Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?subjectid=45&articleid=20110929_45_0_AMRCor308390
It’s no wonder the NMB won’t comment. The NMB knows the parties are at an impasse. The NMB knows the next obvious step is release. The truth is the TWU mechanics at American won’t be able to achieve their bargaining goals until allowed to strike. The NMB won’t allow it to happen and instead just put them on ice. So now it appears it’s the TWU mechanics, and all the union employees at American, against the company and the government. The RLA is set to continue interstate commerce but there is an ultimate end provided by that statute. In researching the law, I can’t find the provision that removes forever all leverage from the represented groups at the airlines. Again, it’s no wonder the NMB won’t comment.
