The Allied Pilots Association recently pledged unconditional support for the Transport Workers Union (TWU) along with the International Association of Machinists (IAM).
The TWU — which represents the airline industry’s fleet service, maintenance, and stores workers — and IAM have been attempting to negotiate a joint collective bargaining agreement with American Airlines’ management since December 2015.
“Safety is the foundation of what we do,” Captain Dan Carey, president of the Allied Pilots Association, said. “Whether I’m in the cockpit with members of my union or in the cabin with members of my family, I expect to be assured that the protection of the margin of safety is first and foremost on every flight. With American Airlines outsourcing TWU maintenance jobs to under-regulated offshore camps, I have serious concerns over the potential narrowing of the safety margin.”
More than two years of negotiation is unacceptable, Carey said, when American is making $500,000 an hour.
The TWU is grateful for the pilots’ support, John Samuelsen, TWU International president, said.
Carey is encouraging pilots to reach out to TWU and IAM members and provide words of encouragement.
The Allied Pilots Association is the largest pilot union in the United States. It represents 15,000 pilots at American Airlines.