Charlotte, N.C.—Carrying signs reading “Keep American Airlines Jobs American,” workers protested
outside Charlotte Douglas International Airport March 28. National contract talks between the airline and the two-union association representing workers have stalled after three years, and the union says it’s because the company wants to increase outsourcing and cut workers’ health and pension benefits. “They want concessions from us when they are the biggest airline in the world, making the most money,” Sean Ryan, general chair of International Association of Machinists Lodge 142, told WSOC-TV. The IAM-Transport Workers Union association represents close to 3,000 workers at the airport. American said in a statement that it was “in agreement our team members deserve the best contract.” “Their positions right now at the negotiating table are not that. They are hugely concessionary,” Ryan responded. “Thousands of jobs would be offshored to countries like China, Central America, El Salvador, and Brazil.” The unions told members March 26 that American had refused “to bargain further unless the Association made concessions on health care and Scope provisions in all contracts” and that the union made it clear it was “not going to negotiate concessions.” The next negotiating session is scheduled for April 23-25. Read more
