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American Airlines Files Suit Over Alleged “Slowdown” By It’s Mechanics


American Airlines recently filed suit against two unions that represent the airline’s mechanics, alleging that the mechanics are intentionally working slowly in order to gain leverage in contract talks.  The suit requests that the Northern District of Texas federal court halt the slowdown.

American Airlines claims that the two unions, the Transport Workers Union of America and the International Association of Machinists, have instructed the mechanics to intentionally slow down in order to cause disruptions.  Since February, there have been 650 flight cancellations and more than 1,500 maintenance delays (which have been blamed on the alleged slowdown by the mechanics.)  The argument follows that this slowdown is being done to give the unions more leverage in the ongoing negotiations over a new contract (which have been ongoing since 2015.)

Now labor issues among airlines are nothing new.  With that being said, this particular matter has escalated further, with the filing of the suit.  It will be interesting to see how this plays out.


For additional information:  https://www.reuters.com/article/us-american-airline-unions/american-airlines-asks-court-to-block-disruptive-slowdown-by-mechanics-unions-idUSKCN1SQ28H

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