American Airlines and its pilots are looking to have a short-term agreement via a “super negotiations” strategy. Allied Pilots Association told its members that both American Airlines management and pilots will meet starting January 17. The negotiations will take place five days a week for one month.
The focus of the “super negotiations” includes scheduling and compensation. According to Dennis Tajer, Allied Pilots Association spokesperson, pilots are hoping to reach a contract for two years or less.
Tajer said that “Post-pandemic, this is the best thing to do”. He added that “Time is your enemy, particularly in negotiations”.
On Friday, American confirmed that they are accelerating talks with their pilots. The airline also said that they have their negotiating team working full-time to have a contract.
In a note to its pilots last month, the carrier said “We have made meaningful progress recently and are discussing proposals that would deliver pay raises, enhanced profit sharing and benefits, and significant quality of life improvements to the pilots of American Airlines”.
Super Negotiations to Resolve Compensation and Work Scheduling Issues
The new negotiating strategy, in part, wants to make compensation more competitive for American pilots. According to the union, American Airlines pilots’ current compensation lag compared to other airlines. And also, the union wants to have new rules for work scheduling.
Airline union contracts do not expire because of the Railway Labor Act. Instead, pilots and airlines have an “amendable date”. In effect, the contract remains until there is a replacement approved by union members. The Railway Labor Act was designed to avoid interruptions except when there is a strike.
American Airlines had its share of operational problems in recent months. The carrier even had to cut its flight schedule for the second half of December due to staffing problems.
American Airlines and the Union started their talks in January 2019, which is a year ahead of the contract’s amendable date. Unfortunately, the negotiations were off and on since then.
