Contract Negotiation Schedule Set For American Airlines Mechanics

American Airlines and the two unions representing its mechanics have set the schedule for negotiating a new contract.

During a meeting in Dallas on December 3, 2015, the company and the two unions formed a subcommittee tasked with developing an initial negotiating schedule.

One unions, the Transport Workers Union, represents mechanics and some related work groups from American Airlines. The other union, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, represents mechanics who worked for US Air, which no longer exists because of the merger with American.

The two unions formed an association to negotiate with the new, post-merger company.

The subcommittee formed with the company and representatives of the association have scheduled negotiations for the weeks of January 11, January 18 and January 25, 2016.

American Airlines: Turbulent Times

The company and the association have committed to devote full weeks to the meetings and have agreed to meet as late each day as negotiations require. The association says the negotiating sessions will generally be two meetings split between Mechanic & Related/Stores personnel and Fleet Service personnel, and combined as a full association group whenever necessary or appropriate.

The association says other, smaller subgroups may meet from time to time to negotiate unique provisions or contract language applicable to them.

The association said American Airlines did not submit a proposal package at the December 3 meeting, instead indicating it would accept the association’s proposals as the starting point for these negotiations.

Mechanics make up the last group to negotiate a new contract with the post-merger company. The company reached a deal on a new contract with the CWA-IBT last month.

The CWA-IBT represents 14,500 U.S.-based American Airlines gate and ticket agents, Premium Service representatives, Reservations representatives and Travel Center representatives.

1/30/2015: Related Story: American Airlines Service Employees Agree To New Contract

That five-year deal will increase each service worker's pay by an average of 30 percent. The company says only about two-dozen of the affected workers are based in Tulsa.