American Airways pilots union calls strike authorization vote as contract talks proceed

Pilots communicate as they take a look at the tail of an American Airways airplane.

Mike Stone | Reuters

The American Airways pilots union, the Allied Pilots Affiliation, plans to vote in April on whether or not to permit participants to name a strike as talks for a brand new exertions contract proceed.

The vote realize comes two days after American Airways CEO Robert Isom mentioned the service is ready to boost pilot pay to check reimbursement at rival Delta Air Traces, whose pilots authorized their new contract March 1.

“Whilst our Negotiating Committee reviews excellent growth, we stay steadfast and centered that now’s the time to achieve an settlement with American Airways,” the APA mentioned Thursday. “APA should additionally be certain it makes use of all its felony processes for contract answer and development.”

Delta’s pilots are getting 34% raises within the new four-year deal, along different enhancements. They’d authorized a strike authorization vote within the fall, a few month prior to achieving a initial maintain the corporate.

Even supposing the APA known as a strike it could now not be quick. Airline moves are extraordinarily uncommon within the U.S. and would observe a long procedure involving federal mediators.

“We look ahead to achieving an settlement with APA temporarily in order that American’s pilots can get pleasure from significant improvements to their pay and high quality of existence,” the airline mentioned in a commentary.