TWU negotiators cut short in midstream what was to be an intensive week of negotiations with American Eagle Airlines, and instead filed for federal mediation with the National Mediation Board. TWU represents Fleet Service and Maintenance and Related workers at the carrier.

Air Transport Division Director John Conley said the abrupt halt to talks came after AMR representatives indicated that they were either unprepared or unauthorized to bargain on issues they had earlier pledged to discuss during what was supposed to be a marathon bargaining session.

“TWU believes the company failed to honor their commitments, we essentially told them ‘don’t waste your breath’ and ‘don’t waste our time,” said Conley.

“As promised we will now file for federal mediation. We also will be gathering our leaders from American and American Eagle to reassess our relationship with AMR.”

Robert Gless, TWU’s Assistant Director added, “We will immediately begin a series of internal meetings to discuss new tactics and a likely change of direction in our relationship with AMR.” TWU’s Eagle’s contracts became amendable in October of 2007. The contract for dispatchers became amendable in January of last year and they are currently in federal mediation. Ground school instructors have been in federal mediation since April of 2008.