BC-Bush-AirlineTalks 06-25 0495
BC-Bush-Airline Talks,0499
Bush says he'll intervene in American Airlines labor dispute
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CHRISTOPHER NEWTON
Associated press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush will order an emergency panel
to review the labor dispute between American Airlines and its
flight attendants, delaying the potential for a strike well beyond
the upcoming July 4th holiday period, his spokesman said late
Monday.
The 30-day cooling off period expires June 30, leaving the
possibility of a strike by the American flight attendants if
additional White House action is not taken.
"The President is concerned that a major airline strike could
threaten the economy," said White House spokesman Ari Fleischer in
a statement.
"He also wants to assure the flying public that they can enjoy
the upcoming Fourth of July holiday without fear that their travel
plans will be disrupted by a strike at American Airlines," he
continued.
The creation of an emergency board automatically begins a
further 60-day "cooling-off" period, during which a strike would
be illegal. Under labor law, the board is directed to begin an
investigation into the dispute and offer a nonbinding settlement
plan within the 60 days.
The American flight attendants have been working without a new
contract for more than two years. In February, they voted to
authorize a strike. But under federal law, airline employees can
strike only if a mediator declares that contract talks are
hopelessly deadlocked.
The flight attendants rejected a tentative agreement in 1999.
The union resumed talks in early 2000 with a new negotiating team
and a tougher stance.
American Airlines and the union representing its mechanics and
ramp workers reached agreement on a new contract on Sunday that
provides for immediate base pay raises of 8 percent to 22 percent
for different job classifications. Workers would get a 3 percent
raise in the second year, and another 3 percent raise during the
third year.
Earlier Monday, The National Mediation Board recommended that
President Bush create an emergency board for the dispute involving
the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, which represents
23,000 flight attendants. It was a necessary first step that allows
the president to get involved.
The action by Bush marks the second time he has stepped in to a
conflict between an airline and a union. Bush blocked a strike this
spring between Northwest Airlines and its union of mechanics.
Intervention by presidents in airline disputes has been unusual
since the Nixon administration, which concluded that labor
negotiations were hampered by an expectation that the White House
would step in and prevent a strike..
President Clinton appointed an airline emergency board in the
1997 to end a strike by American Airlines pilots just minutes after
it began.
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On the Net: National Mediation Board: http://www.nmb.gov