Transport Workers Union Holds Protest At Tulsa International Airport

Dozens of American Airline workers spent Wednesday morning and afternoon protesting in front of the main terminal building at Tulsa International Airport.

Members of the Transport Workers Union took part in a nationwide protest after American Airlines' parent company AMR rejected two union proposals earlier this month.

2/28/2012 Related Story: American Airlines' Unions To Hold Nationwide Protest Wednesday

"There's a lot of fall out that's going to take place here and anything that we can do to draw that attention to people and let them know is what it is," said Gary Elias.

Elias is a Transport Workers Union member and has worked for American Airlines for 25 years.

"I know what won't work. Sitting home on a couch and doing absolutely nothing. That isn't going to work, so we're out here today trying to raise awareness more than anything," Elias said.

To keep the company afloat, American Airlines parent company AMR feels it's necessary to cut 13,000 jobs—2,100 of those are in Tulsa.

"We feel like they copped out. We gave up. We tried our best to be here for American Airlines. We worked hard. We gave up for years, our wages, benefits and everybody thinks that we have everything under the sun, but we don't. We don't have everything," said union member Melinda Hamm.

With American flags held high, even former employees joined in the march.

"I think we've got to keep these jobs in our country so people can pay taxes and keep our country going again," said Harry Houdek, former AA employee.

The protest was sparked when American Airlines shut down the union's proposed buy-out plan.

A spokesperson with the airline released a video about the protests. It says in part:

"These are challenging times for everyone at American Airlines and we know change is difficult. It's important to remember every employee group - labor, independent, support staff and management - is affected."