Union Announces Effort To Support American Airlines Jobs In Tulsa

The union which represents many of the American Airlines employees at Tulsa's maintenance base announced a new effort Monday to support American Airlines jobs in Tulsa.

The Transport Workers Union is worried their jobs may be moving to help American Airlines get out of bankruptcy.

American Airlines has more than 7,000 employees in the Tulsa area. Most of those are members of the Transport Workers Union, and Monday union leaders took to the podium for a public appeal.

"We must fight to keep each and every one of these jobs in Tulsa," said John Hewitt of the Transport Workers Union.

The union announced the launching of a website for anyone to pledge support for American Airlines employees.

The union says the website is one step to show the company's leaders that keeping jobs local should be a priority.

"We have to demonstrate to the company which is in bankruptcy and their local leaders that these jobs are important, and that everybody realizes that these jobs are important to the community of Tulsa," Hewitt said,

John Hewitt is meeting with American Airlines officials later this week. He's very concerned about what the company will look like when it gets out of bankruptcy and how that will impact Tulsa.

"Oh, absolutely I'm worried. If you look at the bankruptcies across the nation that other airlines have done and, yeah, it gives you cause to worry," he said.

American Airlines issued a statement to News On 6 on the heels of the union's new website:

"We are reviewing every aspect of our business and it's clear we have to be a more nimble, flexible and efficient airline in order to compete. The changes we are considering will help ensure American can prosper and grow."

Tulsa city officials say if a large number of jobs leave Tulsa it could have a negative effect on the city's economy to the tune of billions of dollars.

They hope every concerned resident takes the time to make a pledge of support before it's too late.

"If we lose American Airlines, it's going to be a hundred steps backward to try to take one step forward," said Clay Bird, Tulsa Economic Development Director.

The union and American Airlines officials will be meeting on Wednesday in Dallas.

1/3/2012 Related Story: Tulsa County Leaders Pull Together To Retain American Airlines