Nov. 7--Negotiators for American Airlines Inc. and its largest labor group, the Transport Workers Union, will begin talks on a new contract today.
The two sides had tried to work out a quick contract extension in September but ended informal discussions Oct. 3 without a deal. The union, which represents nearly 27,000 American employees, later told its members that American had made three proposals.
"The bargaining committee felt all the proposals were inadequate, or concessionary in nature, and would not bring these proposals to the membership for consideration," the union told its members after the talks ended.
The TWU represents seven employee groups, including mechanics, baggage handlers and other ground workers, at American. One of the TWU units, representing about 75 dispatchers, began talks in spring 2006 but still hasn't reached an agreement.
The current contract -- negotiated in early 2003 as American was trying to avoid filing for bankruptcy -- becomes amendable May 1, the same day that contracts for the pilots' and flight attendants' unions can be amended.
Under the federal Railway Labor Act, airline labor contracts do not expire but have dates on which they are amendable.
American and the Allied Pilots Association began contract negotiations in September 2006. The Association of Professional Flight Attendants plans to start its talks in March.
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