American Airlines And Pilot Union Negotiators Have A Tentative Deal

Allied Pilots Association negotiators have reached a tentative contract deal with American Airlines.

In a notice to pilots on Monday night, APA President Ed Sicher said the negotiating committee chairman presented a tentative agreement to the union’s board of directors.

The board will meet Oct. 31 to consider the deal. The union’s policy manual requires that the board take at least seven days to consider a tentative agreement before convening.

The note to pilots said that national officers, committee member and consultants will make no comment “concerning the merit of the offer or proposal until after the board has acted.”

Before a deal could be approved, board members will comment and the union would conduct a road show, presenting details in pilot domiciles.

“Supposedly they have had all items resolved weeks ago except trip construction and pay,” said a pilot who asked not to be named.

The existing contract became amendable in January 2020. APA has proposed a contract with raises of 10% in the first year, 5% in the second, and 5% in the third, plus retroactive pay.

American Airlines’14,600 pilots are seeking a 20.4% pay raise over three years, as well as improved scheduling because “they’ve been running my pilots ragged,” Sicher said in an August interview.

“If it’s less than 20%, I don’t think our pilots would accept it,” he said. At the time, an the amount of retroactive pay had not been determined. It is also possible that the percentage increase has increased since August.

American, Delta and United pilots are all in contract negotiations.