CWA Passenger Agents Mobilize for 'Industry Leading Contract' at American

As bargaining for a first contract for 14,500 agents at American Airlines continues this week, passenger service agents are gearing up mobilization and putting management on notice: "we're standing together to get an industry-leading contract by 10-17-15." That's the date American Airlines consolidates all systems and operations with US Airways, and agents are reminding management that it could not have accomplished the merger without their hard work.

Negotiations are intensifying, and the CWA bargaining team is urging agents to ramp up their actions and do as much as possible, including volunteering for informational picketing. The next telephone town hall, where American agents can hear about the latest efforts and progress, will be Sept. 2. Click here for more information.

CWA bargainers report that it's a critical time in negotiations, especially around the key issues that members identified as most significant, including classifications, vacations, holidays, medical insurance and compensation.

In Dallas, the CWA bargaining team works on proposals for first contract covering 14,500 agents at American Airlines.

CWA bargainer Vickey Hoots, president of CWA Local 3640, said "progress is being made, but slowly, and management needs to hear from all of us."

Earlier this month, reservations agents at airports, joined by home-based agents, held actions at locations nationwide that featured activists and supporters in CWA red. Flight Attendants and Pilots joined the solidarity events, and more actions are coming. Click here for updates and photos.

Members also are signing up for the "Take 10" mobilization campaign, pledging to communicate and connect with 10 co-workers. Click here for bargaining updates and to learn more about what you can do.

The CWA bargaining team includes Richard Shaughnessy, CWA Local 3140; MIA; Kenneth Grunwald, CWA Local 3640; SERO; CWA Local 1171 President Tom Gunning; CWA Local 3640 President Vickey Hoots and Roxanne Hartfield, CWA Local 1171, LGA.

Airport agents in Miami (left) and agents at the Southeastern Reservations Office in Raleigh-Durham (right) put management on notice: it's time we got an industry-leading contract.