APA Targets September To Resume Contract Talks

American's pilots union says it will be ready to resume formal contract negotiations in late September or early October after it has surveyed members about their contract priorities, a union spokesman tells The DAILY.

The airline has expressed frustration at the pace of contract negotiations, but the Allied Pilots Association says it is obligated to poll its members throughout the negotiation process, and the union has also had to reassess its approach after a change in leadership. While it "may be regrettable to not be able to meet in the very near term," union members in recent elections "signaled they wanted change, and we are responding to that mandate," the spokesman said.

Although no new negotiating sessions are scheduled for a while, the union said it stands ready to meet with management if the airline has a new proposal to offer. However, APA has "seen very little in the way of concrete proposals" in recent talks, according to the spokesman.

American last week sent a letter to pilots expressing its frustration at the slow pace of the contract talks. The airline notes that about half of the scheduled negotiation sessions have had to be canceled, almost all at the union's request. American said it has offered specific proposals on long-haul flying and distance learning, while the union has offered wage increases that are unaffordable.