Just when you think that nothing will move at American Airlines except at a glacial pace, there is a hint of movement.  American Airlines and its pilots union, APA are engaged in intensive meetings and AA has expressed a desire to the Allied Pilots Association to conclude negotiations this week. 

No, you didn’t read that wrong.

The desire is a good thing.  However, temper that with the fact that we don’t really know how good the lines of communication are between AA and the APA.  Just because desire exists doesn’t mean that one side or the other is prepared to be satisfied with what is offered.  But it’s nice to hear it expressed.

The APA has called a board meeting for this weekend in order to be ready to respond to anything arising out of the negotiations. 

Of course, as soon as APA President David Bates communicated with the membership, the dysfunctional portion of the APA got itself fired up immediately by speculating that several board members would refuse to attend the board meeting to deny a quorum.  Others insisted that the APA and AA are miles apart in any deal. 

I criticize AA quite often for not concluding new deals with its labor.  I’ll continue that criticism until its lethargic pace changes.  However, I’ll also criticize the Allied Pilots Association for acting like a pack of sophomore girls in high school.  It’s distressing to see the sabotage that takes place from time to time by the “hard liners” who firmly believe the best pilot’s salary is what the CEO makes + $1.   Sabotage in the form of insulting the people at ALPA who have made their resources available to assist negotiations.  Sabotage in the form of open and insulting criticism of its (somewhat) newly elected leadership.  Sabotage in the form of not attending board meetings to deny action on items. 

That doesn’t gain you what you want.  Actually, it works in the company’s favor as it simply delays an increase in salaries and/or benefits that would result from a new agreement.

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