Cabin crew from American Airlines ask permission to strike

Union represented cabin crew from American Airlines are seeking approval from the National Mediation Board to declare talks with the airline at an official impasse so that they can take industrial action.

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants has asked the federal body to be freed from contractual talks as they feel that discussions have become deadlocked.

If the federal body feels that no further resolutions can be achieved, they will allow the union to take industrial action after undergoing a 30-day cooling period.

Union members are seeking to claw back some US$1.6 billion lost in benefits and wages that were taken away in 2003 as the airline aimed to stay out of bankruptcy.

American Airlines has stated that it feels the appeal to the National Mediation Board is premature as agreements have already been made for 71% of the union’s demands.