American Agents Approve First Contract

American Airlines agents, members of the CWA/IBT Passenger Service Association, ratified a first contract by a 73 percent "yes" vote. The Internet and telephone vote was conducted by an independent third-party.

The agreement covers nearly 15,000 airport and home and office-based reservations agents. Details of the agreement are available at American-agents.org. Negotiated wage increases for agents will be included in agents' paychecks of December 24.

Ken Grunwald, a bargaining committee member and reservations agent in Raleigh, N.C., said, "For many employees, the ratification of this contract was far more meaningful than I could have ever imagined. Many members called to tearfully explain that the wage increase alone would impact their lives in an overwhelmingly positive way. The day to day lives of employees will be improved dramatically."

"While job security concerns are still out there, we will be stronger if we work together and continue to support and respect each other. As one undivided work group, we will thrive," he said.

Shiela Bachtel is a former TWA worker in St. Louis and an area representative for Local 6001, the union American agents built over their years of organizing to get CWA representation. "I am so excited to be taking this positive step forward to ensure job protection and an industry leading wage for all of us," she said.

Going forward, local leaders and members will continue to build a strong steward network to ensure the enforcement of all contract provisions. American Airlines agents voted for union representation in September 2014; that vote capped a 19-year struggle for a union voice.