Mediation request in pilot contract talks rejected

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Star-Telegram

By TREBOR BANSTETTER

Federal airline regulators have rejected a request by American Airlines' pilots union to mediate slow-moving contract talks but offered to help labor and management find another way to speed up negotiations.

In a letter to the Allied Pilots Association, officials with the National Mediation Board said mediation "is most productive when the parties have narrowed the issues in direct negotiations." The board offered to explore "alternative methods" of moving the process along before resorting to mediation.

Union leaders said they were disappointed with the decision and accused American management of deliberately delaying the talks.

"It appears our negotiations are not following a typical pattern, considering the fact that management has been unresponsive throughout 18 months of bargaining," Lloyd Hill, an American captain and president of the union, said in a prepared statement.


Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/business/story/444082.html

[gateley]

1. They're not only allowing our infrastructure to be unsafe, but also our skies.

I read where the air traffic controllers are just bailing - taking early retirement or quitting -- because the Feds won't hire more help or update the equipment.

Unconscionable, as Biden says.