Source::AP news
American, which has about 15,000 pilots and is based in Fort Worth, Texas, did not immediately comment.
The decision by the union at American came after a strike-authorization vote by Delta Air Lines pilots and a resounding rejection of an offer with pay raises totaling 14.5% over 18 months by United Airlines pilots. The Air Line Pilots Association speaks for both organizations.
Pilots from several airlines have picketed at airports in recent months, but federal law prohibits airline workers from striking unless federal mediators determine that further negotiations are pointless, which hasn’t happened at any of the carriers. Even then, Congress and the president can intervene to stop a walkout.
In 1997, President Bill Clinton ordered American Airlines pilots to keep flying minutes after a strike deadline passed. In 2010, pilots at Spirit Airlines went on strike for several days over pay before negotiators for the union and airline settled the dispute.
“American’s management is focused on keeping pay increases as low as possible and has ignored crew-scheduling changes that the union claims will reduce the number of canceled and delayed flights,” said Union spokesman Dennis Tajer
“Management’s failure to invest in a pilot contract that levels up to meet passenger demand only creates more uncertainty for the holiday travel season and even next summer,” he added._AP news
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