May 17, 2013
By Neal Tepel
WASHINGTON, DC – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) and the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) have announced a partnership to jointly represent nearly 30,000 ground workers at the "new" American Airlines following the merger of American Airlines and US Airways.
The two international unions have signed joint agreements to cover the Mechanic & Related, Fleet Service, and Stores employee work groups at the soon to be merged airline. The new labor partnership, to be known as the TWU/IAM Employee Association, will ask the federal National Mediation Board (NMB) to hold elections among the combined employees for each classification after the close of the American-US Airways merger. The election will formalize the joint-council agreement reached this week.
"I am proud that our two great unions put the members first in a true demonstration of solidarity," said IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger. "These agreements protect our members' representation, pensions and seniority. Working jointly with the TWU, we will ensure both unions' members are rewarded in this merger."
"This agreement allows us to use our combined strength and resources on behalf of all our members as we move forward at the new American Airlines," said TWU International President James C. Little. "Both unions have decades of experience representing workers at US Airways and American Airlines and both unions are members of the AFL-CIO."
