American Airlines Workers Protest New Contract

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- American Airlines carrier mechanics are set to vote for new contracts with the company.

Eight mechanics from American headquarters at Dallas-Fort Worth showed up outside American Airlines' maintenance facility in Tulsa to protest the new contract Wednesday.  The deal on the table offers pay raises and other incentives, in exchange for union concessions and promises to improve productivity.

"The tentative agreement is actually a cancer for the craft and profession of aircraft mechanics," Ken MacTiernan said.

The Tulsa mechanics are considered the lynchpin in this contract vote and could decide whether the package fails.  The head of Tulsa's union chapter says turning down this deal may be dangerous because this is likely the best offer they'll see.

The National Mediation Board is watching votes to decide whether to force the two sides to keep talking or allow workers to go on strike. Ballots are due August 24th.