The situation at American Airlines and pay negotiations are starting to turn bitter, with a union leader telling American pilots to leave for better conditions with a competitor, Delta Air Lines. The labor relations between staff and one of the world's largest airlines started to get ugly in 2019 when mechanics and crew were unhappy with working conditions. The airline re-negotiated and agreed on new conditions just before the pandemic hit.

Pilots and flight attendants have since been in further negation, where flight attendants have been picketing, and there have been comments from crew telling them to do the bare minimum for passengers until their voices and demands are met.

Photo: American Airlines
 

Pilots are in control.

Since pilots control the aircraft, you would expect they have strong bargaining power (as you'd hope flight attendants should do). However, negotiations have turned ugly in the public eye, with many voicing their demands. The Philadelphia-based pilot's group has recently encouraged junior pilots to work for Delta, where they will be better off. Shared on Twitter the comments from Paul DiOrio, Chair, and Kevin Wilkes, Vice Chair of the pilot's group, noted:

''Not that we want to rub it in, but pilots at Delta will make substantially more than pilots here at American. This is even before Delta's industry-leading pay rates take effect.''

Pilots are looking for an improved 'quality of life' in their new agreements, with working conditions that make them want to remain for the airline. The statement also noted that many new pilots at American chose the airline for quick upward progression. However, DiOrio and Wilkes said that movement could happen at Delta within a few months of entry. Their statement continued to highlight the strained relationship with American pilots, commenting:

''No one knows what our next contract will include, but we can’t just ignore this management’s history. Specifically, its unwillingness to improve work rules/quality of life. We know it will be difficult for even this management to offer anything less than the new standard when it comes to pay, However, we believe, unfortunately, that’s where it will end. If you’re OK with Delta $$ (at least initially) and spending the next 25-35 years of your life working with horrific work rules and little scheduling flexibility, then do nothing and just live with it.''

Photo: American Airlines

Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

US Airways' legacy at American Airlines

Coming from Philadelphia, an historic US Airways hub, the statements from DiOrio and Wilkes hold some irony, given that wages remained low before America's takeover under America West and US Airways. Since 2015, when crew transferred to American Airlines, wages have risen; however, clearly not enough. As the industry recovers from a subdued market from COVID-19, it's clear that pilots and flight attendants want their demands met. Otherwise, we may see flights grounded for a different reason.

Source: View From The Wing