In The Midst Of Contract Negotiations, The American Airlines Pilots' Union Has Called For A Vote On Strike Authorization

As part of the ongoing labor talks, the Allied Pilots Association, the union representing American Airlines pilots, plans to hold a vote in April on whether to allow members to call a strike as part of the ongoing negotiations for a new labor contract.

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American Airlines notice of the vote follows two days after American Airlines CEO Robert Isom announced his carrier was ready to raise pilot pay to match the compensation at Delta Air Lines, which approved a new contract in March with its pilots.

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“While our Negotiating Committee reports good progress, we remain steadfast and focus on the fact that it is now the right time for us to reach an agreement with American Airlines,” according to a statement released by the APA Wednesday. “APA must also make sure that all the legal processes available to it in order to resolve and improve contracts are utilized.”

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In the new four-year contract Delta has signed with its pilots, they will receive a raise of 34%, along with other improvements. A strike authorization vote was approved by the union in the fall, about a month before the two sides reached a preliminary agreement with the company.

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There would not be an immediate strike even if the APA called one. There are very few airline strikes in the U.S., and if there were one, there would be a lengthy procedure involving federal mediators to resolve the conflict.

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“Our goal is to reach a favorable agreement with APA as soon as possible so that American pilots can enjoy meaningful improvements to their pay and quality of life,” the airline said in a statement.

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