American Airlines workers ask for help from governor, congressional delegation
Feb. 22-- American Airlines mechanics in Tulsa are reaching out to Gov. Mary Fallin and Oklahoma's congressional delegation for support in preserving jobs in the face of bankruptcy cost-cutting proposals by American parent AMR Corp.
Members of American's Transport Workers Union Local 514 on Tuesday asked Fallin, Oklahoma's congressional leaders and state representatives to add their names to a list of supporters on the union's website at
Since it was established three weeks ago, the union website has attracted the support and signatures of more than 15,000 people across the country, TWU officials said.
"This effort is about jobs, which is something every elected official in Oklahoma can get behind without regard to political affiliation," said Rick Mullings, TWU organizer and member of Local 514, which represents 5,600 aircraft mechanics and related work groups at American's Maintenance & Engineering Center at Tulsa International Airport.
"These skilled workers are military veterans, mothers, fathers and heads of households," he said. "They pay taxes, support local charities, including donating blood to the American Red Cross. They spend their wages throughout our communities. If they lose their jobs, the impact will be felt throughout northeastern Oklahoma."
AMR filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization petition on Nov. 29, listing assets of $22.87 billion and liabilities of $30.08 billion.
CEO Thomas Horton said the company must reduce costs by $2 billion annually. Horton said the reductions include cutting 13,000 jobs from its 87,000-member work force to emerge from bankruptcy and compete successfully in the airline industry.
Among the job cuts, the company proposes to lay off 4,600 mechanics -- 2,100 of them at the M&E Center in Tulsa -- 4,200 fleet service and other TWU workers, 2,300 flight attendants, 1,400 management and support staff, and 400 pilots.
AMR executives said the company could outsource up to 40 percent of its aircraft maintenance, which American -- nearly alone among major U.S. airlines -- has retained in-house.
Local 514's Mullings urged local residents to show their support for American jobs by signing their names on the website.
"It's critical that our elected officials and community leaders continue the fight to keep these jobs in America," Mullings said. "They really have no reason not to sign. It costs nothing and sends a strong message about America's need for a strong middle class to drive the economy in our communities."
D.R. Stewart 918-581-8451
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