After winning a court decision against labor unions in a long running ‘work slowdown’ dispute, American Airlines is now seeking compensation.
It wants the Transport Workers Union and International Association of Machinists on the hook for ‘enormous financial losses’ incurred as the airline continues to cancel dozens of flights each day.
It began with a lawsuit filed by American accusing the two unions of a deliberate effort to slow down productivity as leverage in labor negotiations.
In June a court issued a temporary restraining order against the unions to stop the slowdown.
American said this has not improved the situation, and has arguably got worse.
It claims mechanics conspired to slow down by refusing any overtime and deliberately taking more time on jobs.
This week Judge John McBryde ruled in favour of the airline.
"This illegal activity — now twice ordered stopped by this court — has caused enormous hardship to American’s customers and team members, enormous financial losses to American, and untold harm in lost customer goodwill," American said.
The unions deny the claims.
"The union has absolutely complied with Judge McBryde’s orders. It would make no sense to not comply," said TWU president John Samuelson.
The unions, which represent about 30,000 American workers, say they have done everything in their power to speed up work productivity.
This includes meetings with members, video and website messages, and workplace signs.
