Washington, DC — The TWU, in our partnership with the IAM, (The Association), is pleased to announce significant victories in two highly contested arbitration cases against American Airlines for fleet service agent, stores, and the maintenance & related memberships.
Ratified joint collective bargaining agreements (JCBAs) for these workgroups came under attack when American Airlines management grossly misinterpreted clear, concise, contract language. The carrier implemented draconian policies that unfairly penalized TWU members, which were in direct violation of our JCBAs. When a logical resolution could not be reached with management, the TWU moved the fight for our members’ rights and livelihoods to arbitration.
The cases in question center around a unilateral management rights attendance policy and the elimination of holiday pay for members who were on contractually recognized leaves of absences. The carrier sought to institute significant punishment against our members for utilizing contractually negotiated sick time benefits or take pay owed to our members on a holiday even though our members had a contractual right to their benefits and pay.
By agreeing with the arguments posed and evidence presented by the TWU in the attendance case, the arbitrator found that the labor agreement had indeed been violated. As a result, American Airlines is now required to rewrite its attendance policy to ensure that policy does not violate the contract or the spirit of those agreements’ intent in negotiations.
In the second decision on holiday pay, the arbitrator ruled the carrier must also recognize and compensate all members who were unfairly penalized with backpay.
These wins show the power of a strong union willing to fight the bosses and give the TWU significant momentum as the TWU prepares for additional arbitration cases, to settle contractual disputes, with American Airlines.