Mechanics and Related Workers to Review Tentative Agreements Starting Today, Ballots Mailed July 26, Results Announced Aug. 24

DALLAS –Beginning today, the Transport Workers Union (TWU) will begin to distribute written copies of tentative agreements reached with AMR for Aviation Maintenance Technicians, Facility and Automotive Mechanics, Technical Specialists and Stock Clerks at American Airlines. The written copies of the tentative agreements will reach TWU Locals across the country over the next week.

Roughly 13,000 workers at American will participate in the ratification votes. Ballots will be mailed to TWU members July 26; results will be tabulated and announced by the American Arbitration Association on the afternoon of Aug. 24.

Ballot language to be considered by members of the three bargaining units reads simply:

• I VOTE TO ACCEPT

• I VOTE TO REJECT AND AUTHORIZE THE NEGOTIATING TEAM TO TAKE WHATEVER ACTION NECESSARY UP TO AND INCLUDING A STRIKE

“The language is simple, but these are not simple choices,” said Don Videtich TWU International Representative. ,“It wasn’t an easy choice for our bargaining committees to agree to these TA’s. However, after 30 long months of negotiations and careful consideration they voted to send these agreements out to members for a ratification vote.”

This tentative agreement, calls for signing bonuses, structural pay increases, increases to existing premium pay and other pay increases and maintains defined-benefit pension plans for all current TWU members, as well as retiree healthcare benefits, although active members 49 and under will no longer prefund for the retiree healthcare benefit, they will utilize their sick bank hours to fund their coverage. Improvements also were negotiated in holidays, sick leave, paid time-off among other contractual changes.

The membership also must consider work rule changes, a new mechanic classification, and available seat mile cap percentage changes. If ratified, new hires will have a defined-contribution pension plan. And, despite the wage increases, pay and benefits would not be fully restored to pre-2003 levels.

These improvements were made possible while maintaining aircraft overhaul work in-house (in the U.S.A) by skilled TWU labor, unlike other major airlines that send the bulk of their aircraft overhaul overseas for repairs.

Added Videtich, “Our members understand that this has been a difficult economic climate to negotiate in. Understanding the challenges, we have been able to reach TAs that include raises and other improvements. The members must decide if these negotiated agreements are acceptable. If the members do not want to ratify the TA that is their right. However, It also is important that everyone understand the full consequences and next steps entailed in a “no” vote.”



Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) represents 200,000 workers and retirees, primarily in commercial aviation, public transportation and passenger railroads. The union is an affiliate of the AFL-CIO. For more information visit www.twu.org