Teamsters Break Up with American Airlines

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16, 2013 - The International Brotherhood of Teamsters today announced an end to the year-long campaign to represent aircraft mechanics and related personnel at American Airlines. The following is a statement by Teamsters spokesman Bret Caldwell: "The Teamsters Union has determined that the recent announcement that the federal government will fight the proposed merger between US Airways and American Airlines places the workers at American Airlines in significant turmoil. American Airlines' emergence from bankruptcy has been cast into doubt and the union has determined that the continued conflict between labor organizations is not in the best interest of the workers. This is not a time for workers to fight among themselves. "More than 6,000 American Airlines mechanics and related personnel signed cards to make the Teamsters their bargaining representative. The Teamsters want to thank those men and women for joining us in the fight to improve their wages and working conditions. As the largest union of airline mechanics and related personnel in the nation, the Teamsters will continue to set the standard for good wages, strong benefits, real job security and workplace dignity in this industry." Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.