- The union representing pilots at American Airlines (NASDAQ:AAL) voted overwhelmingly Monday in favour of authorizing a strike
- American is the world’s largest airline and employs some 15,000 pilots
- The union’s last negotiated pay raise with the airline came in 2019
- American Airlines (NASDAQ:AAL) is up 2.6 percent, trading at US$14.00 at 1:05 pm ET
The union representing pilots at American Airlines (NASDAQ:AAL) voted overwhelmingly Monday in favour of authorizing a strike.
A total of 99 percent of union members who voted, favoured authorizing a strike. Voting had a 96-percent turnout rate.
The carrier is the largest passenger airline in the world in terms of fleet size, passengers carried, yearly distance flown and revenue. The airline employs some 15,000 pilots and is headed into the busy summer travel season.
The union’s last negotiated pay raise with the airline came in 2019.
The Dallas-based airline’s stock remained in the black midway through Monday.
The union’s vote does not guarantee a strike or other job action will take place, as the airline inches towards its busy summer travel season.
“The summer travel season is almost here, and we’re all wondering whether this will be another summer of uncertainty for American Airlines,” union president Capt. Ed Sicher said in a statement.
“Fortunately, there is an alternative. By embracing the win-win scheduling and work rule improvements APA has presented at the bargaining table, management can take steps to improve the airline’s operational reliability and efficiency.”
The union is planning informational picketing at 10 major U.S. airports in the coming days.
“The APA membership has spoken. We will strike if necessary to secure the industry-leading contract that our pilots have earned and deserve – a contract that will position American Airlines for success. With more than 99 percent of participating pilots voting in favor of authorizing a strike, our pilots’ resolve is unmistakable. We will not be deterred from our goal of an industry-leading contract,” Sicher.
American Airlines (NASDAQ:AAL) is up 2.6 percent, trading at US$14.00 at 1:05 pm ET.
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