In what looks to be an ominous outlook in labor relations at American Airlines in the coming years, the Allied Pilots Association voted overwhelmingly to oust the current officers.
The new officers will stand firmer in negotiations with American Airlines after union members voted 2 to 1 for the new officers. The new officers take over on July 1st.
Lloyd Hill, who flies Boeing 757s and 767s on international routes, will become the new union chief. Hill is looking to survey the 12,000 pilots and see where they stand. The last survey was done in 2005 when American was not profitable.
But will this move to the new union officers really make a difference? A fresh face is always nice, especially in negotiations; however, the negotiations have made little progress since they started last September. And little progress looks to happen in the near future since the current contract does not expire until 2008.
I’m just not sure the strength of the union in the industry is strong enough to fight for anything anymore. Just look at what is happening to other unions in the industry. Northwest “waited” out the mechanic’s union and then rehired some of them back at steep pay cuts.
Dallas Morning News
Allied Pilots Association
I don't think that Lloyd Hill is the type of fresh face who is going to do anything other than alienate management, stockholders and customers. American Airlines already has a generous pay scale for their pilots. A 35% pay increase? Absurd!
Posted by: Anonymous | June 26, 2007 12:43 PM | Permalink to Comment