2/20/12

All TWU represented work groups met with AMR and they responded to questions from the TWU on pensions, active and retiree medical, & sick time. That discussion took te better part of Monday afternoon.  The groups continue to review the options available to meeting AMR's financial objectives and believe we may have some options available for consideration, later this week.  If and when any decisions are finalized and agreed upon, we will let the membership know.  While we may still be weeks away from a final resolution, it is critical to remember that any changes to the CBA, made through negotiation by the M&R or Stores team's, will be reviewed, discussed, and ratified by a vote of the membership prior to final agreement and implementation.

2/15/12

The Stores negotiating committee met with AMR management, with questions similar to the M&R teams. This was the first meeting involving questions from the Stores team across the table from AMR since receiving the 1113c proposal.  We anticipate more questions needing answer and AMR's intention on what is going to happen with the TAESL facility before we can have the complete picture necessary to make a counter proposal.  We do continue to review all the data and items provided to us by AMR; validating it for accuracy. 

Also, a proposal for an early out program was given to the company.  Details of the proposal are here:

 http://twubkfacts.org/home/tabid/1494/ctl/detail/mid/3063/itemid/316/early-out-letter-from-jim-little-to-jeff-brundage.aspx

And here:

http://twubkfacts.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=fD4WRYkfcGU%3d&tabid=1494

As a reminder this is just a proposal. Once the company responds to this proposal, we will post their response

2/14/12

The M&R negotiating committee met with AMR management for clarification on the spreadsheet and modifications proposal as presented.  We were able to get a better understanding of the intent contained within the proposal.  The M&R negotiating team is preparing a second round of follow-up questions for further clarification and greater detail on AMR's intentions regarding the TAESL facility.

2/10/12

The week closed without any change in the status of negotiations.  We are still waiting on AMR to respond to several questions asked about the 1113c proposal they presented to us.  Once we receive answers to the first round of questions, back from AMR, we anticipate we will have several more to ask.  The bankruptcy process is cumbersome and slow moving, however, it is necessary by law.  I imagine we will meet with AMR officials sometime next week to ask verbal questions and hopefully get a better understanding of exactly what AMR believes the airline will look like over the next several years.  Once we have any answers, we will provide them to you, however, at this point there is still no change and nothing new to report.

Gary Peterson

2/10/12 

On Monday 02-13-2012 the TWU International will be conducting a telephone townhall meeeting  click the link provided http://aa.twu.org/ if you wish to learn the latest information on the bankruptcy process.

2/8/12    In an effort to eliminate the ongoing confusion, I am going to clarify the current status of the negotiations.  First and foremost, to date, we have not discussed or negotiated any changes to the Stores or M&R agreements with AMR.  It is imperative that everyone understand that we are not "negotiating" like it has historically been done.  We have been provided with AMR's pre1113c "ask" petition, and AMR's financial data in a spreadsheet format that they say supports the "ask." We are reviewing the the spreadsheet that AMR has provided to us for accuracy and omissions. There are multiple pages and millions of dollars involved in this process, so we will not rush the review & analysis.  We have also prepared a large number of questions in the methodology used in preparing the "ask," and how AMR came to the associated values. We will submit those questions to the company, and request answers to those questions throughout this process.  Again, this is a cumbersome task and cannot be done without a time consuming review.  

            I also understand that many people are nervous and want information, however, right now there is nothing that has been negotiated, we simply are not that far along in the review process.  I know it is difficult to wait on information but for now you must do just that, because the data is still not vetted.  I keep hearing stories about things are happening in the negotiations, unfortunately we are not at that point, and they are just stories someone has made up to satisfy some bizzare need to churn information and members lives.  I am asking you guys to stop spinning the rumors and falling into a frustrating trap that has no validity.  If you are concerned about something, please ask a union representative to get the question to me (see the 2/4/12 post for the process we at Local 565 have in place) and I will get it answered as quickly as possible.

Gary Peterson 

2/7/12   Today did not result in face-to-face negotiations with AA.  The Negotiating Committee Chairman and the Benefits Committee were shown a presentation on the company's plan for benefit changes.  Once the group has had time to digest and review the benefits proposal, they will provide the negotiating committee with the results of their analysis. 

2/4/2012   I have receieved several calls regarding the "Line Maintenance Headcount Term Sheet" that is being circulated. It is important to understand that this is only an AMR proposal sheet.  It is an "ask" by AMR and it has not been accepted , or agreed to, by us. 

This proposal, along with the entire company's business plan, is currently being analyzed by our financial experts.  The M&R group will soon be putting forward our counter-proposals regarding AA's initial 1113 positions; including those covering line maintenance headcount.  We anticipated AMR would "make a deep ask" regarding union labor; which is not unusual.  The question now is if the "ask amount" is fair & equitable (which is not the same as "fair & equal") and the dollar amount "asked for" is necessary for restructuring.

As of today, we along with the other labor unions are reviewing the data that AMR has provided us and are putting together our list of questions necessary to properly review "their data".  We cannot rush this process and lose sight of what is most important -pay, workrules, and benefits.

I will continue to keep you updated on these negotiations and provide "valid" information and answers, as it becomes available.  Over the next few weeks you will continue to hear rumor, speculation, and other unvalidated information - please do not fall into that trap and create more tension then already exists today.  These next few weeks (or months) are going to be stressful enough!  

If you have any questions you need answered or want to validate something you hear, please contact a Local 565 Officer. We have a process in place, at the Local, to keep your questions or concerns in order and I will work to get answers back to them and you as quickly as possible.

Gary Peterson

2/2/2012

The TWU negotiating team spent the day reviewing the data provided by AMR for accuracy, as well as developing questions on how they arrived at particular financial numbers. We will continue to review the data and intend to present a list of questions to AMR which require further explaination on their part.  We anticipate that meeting will take place sometime next week and will update the membership as more details and answers become available.

Gary Peterson 

2/1/2012

AMR Executives today presented the companies 1113 proposals to the unions.  This is not an 1113 filing putting us on the clock with the bankruptcy court, it is an attempt to reach an agreement prior to entering that expedited negotiating process. These proposals are comprehensive in nature and will take the union time to verify all costs & numbers associated with the companies ask. Please remember this is a negotiation and we are only in the first day of the process. As stated in our union meetings, the ask by AA is difficult to read however it is the companies opening position. As we negotiate, I anticipate some movement on AA's part and when we finish negotiating, Local 565 will have special membership meetings to review the proposal in detail.  

Please go to aa.twu.org for the latest update on the bankruptcy. There you will find all important bankruptcy information provided by the TWU International and a Q&A for answers to the questions asked by members. 

Gary Peterson