4.23.12 – (LAA) – Justice for AAmerican Workers System Wide Picketing Update

APFA Special HotLine Update

Justice for AAmerican Workers – System Wide Picketing Update

Monday April 23, 2012

Today the workers of American Airlines stood together and made our voices heard not only in the courthouse plaza in New York but at airports across America. APFA President Laura Glading, TWU International President Jim Little and New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento spoke to the onlookers. TWU Local 100 President John Samuelson emceed the event.

Thank you to all of the flight attendants, TWU workers and other volunteers who helped make our day of protesting AA’s and TWU members who took several hours from their day to stand up not only for our livelihoods but also for what is right: protecting the families of American workers.

APFA would also like to extend a very special thank you to TWU local 100 in New York for their overwhelming support without which todayís event would not have been the smooth success that it was.

Across the system, in not only base but also commuter cities, flight attendants picketed at local airports with an excellent turnout. Without each of our volunteers today could not have been a success. Thank you for your dedication to our career and our fellow workers.

You may recall that just prior to American’s announcement that it was seeking bankruptcy protection the TWU had reached tentative agreements with the company that were due to be voted upon. Those TAs were abandoned in bankruptcy and new, far less favorable terms were introduced. In court today, TWU announced that they will be sending out American’s last best offer to their membership for a vote. TWU is not endorsing the plan or encouraging a “yea” vote from its members. In fact, TWU President Jim Little’s remarks in Battery Park this morning were peppered with the disgust and distrust that we all share for American management. TWU is however, committed to giving its members all of the facts and allowing them to make their own decision, as this is a critical moment for so many families.

Also in court today, the Unsecured Creditors’ Committee announced that its Labor Subcommittee – comprised of all members except the three unions – voted to support the continuation of the 1113 process. Because we are directly involved in the 1113 hearing we are not part of this sub-committee. This is in no way an endorsement of American’s plan. Rather, it is a decision the creditors have reached as a way of finally forcing American into good faith negotiations. We are confident that American will again fail to rise to the opportunity and that ultimately the US Airways proposal will be unanimously accepted as the only sensible course of action.

The creditors’ committee’s actions today in no way hinder or block US Airways ability to merge with American nor the unions’ support of that merger.