The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the union representing more than 2,800 pilots at American Eagle Airlines, announced that its negotiators have reached a tentative agreement with management to amend the pilots' labor contract. According to a statement issued by ALPA, the agreement contains improvements to work rules and quality of life provisions, while avoiding contractual concessions to any part of the contract. ALPA says, "These goals were attained with minimal increase to American Eagle’s operating cost in these challenging economic times.""With our industry confronting historically high fuel prices, pilot furloughs, capacity reductions, consolidation and liquidations, our negotiators did a remarkable job in achieving the best possible solution for the Eagle pilot group," said Herb Mark, chairman of the American Eagle pilots’ unit of ALPA. "Our negotiators were asked to bring us an agreement that increases quality of life wherever possible but includes no concessions. This tentative agreement accomplishes that mission, while providing many improvements in ways that add real dollars to pilots’ pockets."
As a next step, the agreement will be presented for ratification to the American Eagle Master Executive Council, the governing body of the American Eagle pilot unit within ALPA. When ratified, the agreement will complete the final amendment round in the pilots’ unprecedented 16-year contract. When the contract expires at the end of 2012, the pilots will return to the traditional method of contract negotiations, which is governed by Section 6 of the Railway Labor Act.
American Eagle Airlines, Inc. is a regional airline network owned by AMR Corporation and is based in Fort Worth, Texas.
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