Talks Between American Airlines, Unions Showing Little Progress

In a stagnant economy and an industry losing billions of dollars a year, no one expects any sudden breakthroughs.

But the extended negotiations, the reported deterioration in labor-management relations and the continued payout of millions of dollar in stock-based executive bonuses — the latest of which is expected this week — could have long-term consequences for the company, union and industry officials said.

"Have we made significant or substantial progress? No," said Mark Burdette, American's vice president of employee relations, about contract talks with American's pilots. "We have nine tentative agreements and 62 items still on the table ... it's not stubbornness on our part. We're trying to craft agreements that are win-win; good for the company and the pilots."

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