We appreciate the concern for the well-being of American Airlines and its employees that many have made public today.
As the elected leaders of the three major work groups at our company, we share their concerns. That is why we are working diligently to ensure that American Airlines can grow, flourish and compete.
We are also focused on securing the livelihoods and retirement plans of our members who have sacrificed a great deal for the company over the past decade. In order to accomplish these goals, we must exercise due diligence and examine every possibility.
In February, we were told by management that in order for American Airlines to reorganize successfully 14,000 employees would need to be terminated. Needless to say, we found that very troubling. Since those terms were introduced we have worked tirelessly to mitigate or avoid that scenario entirely. We are more than willing to brief stakeholders, including Senator Hutchison and Governor Fallin, on the progress we have made on that front.
In closing, we respectfully request that all stakeholders of American Airlines—including lawmakers and everyone else with a vested interest in the outcome of the restructuring—withhold judgment about any industry consolidation that could involve our airline until all of the facts become known.
Captain Dave Bates,
President, Allied Pilots Association (APA)
Laura Glading,
President, Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA)
James C. Little
International President, Transport Workers Union of America (TWU)