Originally published November 5, 2009 at 2:40 PM | Page modified November 5, 2009 at 4:46 PM
Comments (1)
E-mail article
Print view
Share
American flight attendants to hold mock strikes
Flight attendants at American Airlines say they will hold mock strikes in November, and could strike for real next year.
FORT WORTH, Texas — Flight attendants at American Airlines say they will hold mock strikes around the country this month and could seek permission for real strikes early next year.
The union is protesting stalled contract talks with American, the nation's second largest airline.
The Association of Professional Flight Attendants said Thursday that the Nov. 18 protests at airports around the country would show that some flights wouldn't operate during a real strike.
"This is only a symbolic demonstration to show management that flight attendants are willing and able to do whatever is necessary to get a fair contract," said union President Laura Glading.
The union, which represents about 18,000 workers, said it would not disrupt service during the holidays.
American and the union have scheduled bargaining sessions into next year. If there is no agreement in January, the union said it will ask federal officials to declare a 30-day cooling-off period, the last step before a strike.
Federal law makes it difficult for airline employees to strike, and work stoppages have become rare in the industry.
American's flight attendants conducted what was widely viewed as a successful strike in 1993, which ended with President Bill Clinton ordering the airline back to the bargaining table. American's pilots walked off the job for a few minutes in 1997 before Clinton ordered them back to work.
In the past year, leaders of the three unions representing American Airlines pilots, flight attendants and ground workers have sought pay raises and other changes to offset concessions they made in 2003. The airline has said it needs to reduce labor costs.
E-mail article
Print view
Share
NEW - Vacation rentals: Search property listings, or post your own.
Browse by destination: Washington | Hawaii | California | Canada | US | Mexico | More
Thanksgiving travel plans expected to grow slightly
Ask Travel: A free day in Prague
Ban Long Lao is a peek at traditional Hmong village life
![]()
LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham talks about the upcoming MLS Cup final during after a team practice.

Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'The Road' takes Viggo Mortensen to Mount St. Helens and Astoria, Ore.
- Craigslist adoption ad: A plea by young mother-to-be? A scam?
- Italian lead prosecutor argues Knox motive was hatred
- Italian prosecutors request life sentence for UW student
- Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
- Man shot in chest on E. Union Street in Capitol Hill
- Tugboat sinks on Seattle's waterfront
- Washington state wines make annual best-of list
- Mariners Blog | A Mariners-Tigers swap makes a whole lot of sense for both teams
- Lynnwood is reinventing itself — again
- Senate vote clears hurdle
234 - Tight Senate vote launches health care over hurdle
119 - Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
116 - Palin excitement builds in Tri-Cities
114 - Vikings easily beat the Seahawks
108 - Prosecutor requests life in prison for Amanda Knox
87 - Cutting through breast-cancer confusion
86 - Game thread
70 - New York terror trials will restore faith in rule of law
51 - Chase shrugs off loss of CD investors
45
- Washington state wines make annual best-of list
- Nonprofits get creative using Twitter and Facebook to make donation easier
- It's possible to recover a life lost to hoarding
- Lynnwood is reinventing itself — again
- Great places to cross-country ski for free (or almost) in the Methow
- Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
- 'The Road' takes Viggo Mortensen to Mount St. Helens and Astoria, Ore.
- Recipes: Sesame Pork Roast, Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes, Gingerbread with Lemon Sauce and more
- Banff: powder, peaks & purity
- 175 foster kids in Washington get 'forever families'






