Amid unprecedented company and industry profitability, the TWU-IAM Association today announced that it commenced the largest ever joint contract negotiations with American Airlines for approximately 30,000 ground workers in Dallas, Texas.
“American Airlines is booking record profits quarter after quarter because of its merger with US Airways. The carrier will more than double its earnings this year as compared to last year’s results,” said Association Chairman and Vice Chairman Sito Pantoja and Harry Lombardo, respectively. “The time has come for the 30,000 TWU-IAM Association members to achieve what they rightfully deserve: the industry’s best contracts.”
“It was these workers who sacrificed when times were bad and made it possible for American to not only survive, but now thrive,” continued Pantoja and Lombardo. “It’s high time they receive their just rewards by attaining the job security, compensation, working conditions and the dignified retirement they rightfully deserve. Nothing less will suffice.”
American Airlines and US Airways merged in 2013, creating the largest global airline. In response to that consolidation, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) formed a labor alliance, representing approximately 30,000 Mechanic and Related, Fleet Service and Stores/Logistics employees. Prior to the merger, the TWU represented pre-merger ground workers at American and the IAM represented their pre-merger US Airways counterparts.
The TWU-IAM Association is the largest labor union at American Airlines.