CWA: American Airlines Passenger Service Workers Need a Voice Now More Than Ever

Washington, D.C. — American Airlines passenger service agents supporting the Communications Workers of America have filed a petition with the National Mediation Board calling for a union representation election for the 9,700 passenger service agents at American Airlines.

American Airlines airport and reservations agents have been working with CWA to win a voice at the carrier. At this critical time, they care deeply about the airline and their voice in key decisions. Agents are the only major employee group at American without union representation.

Having a voice is even more critical as the airline's parent company, AMR, filed for bankruptcy protection on Nov. 29. Union represented workers can get a voice in the bankruptcy proceedings.

"Now we have a great opportunity to get a voice and the respect we agents so deserve," said Evelyn Eng, based in Los Angeles. Latricia Beasley from Dallas said, "I'm on board and looking forward to CWA representation to help get us through the bankruptcy process."

Deb Rooney, a Boston based agent said, we're "so happy we are filing because now, more than ever, we need a seat at the table." And Adam Quershi, Dallas based, stressed that, "we will have representation in this process like the pilots, flight attendants and other union workers at American."

"Thank you God, I've been praying so hard," said Doris Gorrell, a reservations agent in Fort Worth, Tex.

Workers without union representation lack a clear voice in the bankruptcy hearings, other proceedings that might arise and the benefits of a contract as the carrier emerges from bankruptcy. Despite the company holding $4.1 billion in cash on hand, American Airlines management is indicating that workers' wages, compensation and working conditions will be a major focus of its cost-reduction effort. Agents took deep cuts in 2003 from which they never recovered.  In addition, the company in the past year has made cuts in health care coverage and has hired in new employees at significantly lower pay rate, reduced benefits and fewer paid days off.  It's difficult to see how they can bear even more of the company's financial burden.

Contact: Candice Johnson or Chuck Porcari, CWA Communications, 202-434-1168, cjohnson@cwa-union.org and cporcari@cwa-union.org

More information at http://apsa6001.org/