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American Eagle Pilots Reach Agreement to Help Airline Profitability

Dépèche transmise le 20 juillet 2011 par Business Wire

American Eagle Pilots Reach Agreement to Help Airline Profitability

EULESS, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Yesterday, the American Eagle Pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l., (ALPA), reached an agreement with American Eagle and American Airlines that will provide all Eagle pilots the opportunity to be hired by American Airlines in the future. This job progression and protection agreement is the most significant of eight recent agreements between ALPA and American Eagle, negotiated in anticipation of the potential divestiture of American Eagle from AMR Corporation, American Airlines’ parent company.

“I’m a strong proponent of career advancement agreements and pilots working with management to create an environment for mutual success”

“Regardless of American Eagle’s ownership status, we remain committed to protecting pilot jobs and career aspirations,” said Capt. Anthony Gutierrez, chairman of the Eagle unit of ALPA.

In addition to providing job protection and career progression for American Eagle pilots, this agreement provides American Eagle with the ability to control pilot longevity over a significant period of time, while simultaneously providing pilot recruitment and retention tools. In turn, American Airlines receives a guaranteed inflow of qualified pilots who have considerable tenure in the AA system, while helping to ensure proven, stable, and long-term market rate feed.

“The American Eagle pilots have proven time and time again that they are capable of being effective partners in the success of their airline so long as management keeps the needs of its employees central among its business goals,” Capt. Gutierrez said.

Under this agreement, American Eagle pilots will occupy a minimum of 35% of every American Airlines new hire class and that percentage will increase to offset any potential periods of retraction. “I’m a strong proponent of career advancement agreements and pilots working with management to create an environment for mutual success,” said Capt. Lee Moak, president of ALPA. “This settlement is an indication of ALPA’s, Eagle’s and American’s ability to work together for a successful outcome for all three parties.”

From the moment the American Eagle pilots became aware of AMR’s exploration of the divestiture of American Eagle, pilot representatives have been actively engaged with American Eagle and American Airlines management, and remain committed to a productive relationship so long as that relationship is based on shared interests and a long-term stable growth model, rather than on flash-in-the-pan, unsustainable returns.

ALPA represents more than 53,000 pilots at 39 airlines in the United States and Canada, including 3,000 at American Eagle. American Airlines pilots are represented by the Allied Pilots Association.