The union president, who represents the roughly 15,000 pilots employed by American Airlines, said he will cast his vote in favour of a strike when the poll for a potential walkout opens on April 1. Captain Ed Sicher, the president of the Allied Pilots Association (APA), said on Thursday that the union would proceed with a strike authorization ballot following a decision from its board of directors earlier this month. Voting will be open for the entire month of April, and the poll's findings might be released as early as April 30. The union would first have to overcome a number of other legal obstacles if the pilots ultimately decide to strike.
As APA President, Capt. Sicher declared on Thursday, "I will cast my vote in favour of a strike — if it ultimately becomes necessary — as a statement of my resolve." Our message to American Airlines management is quite clear: You must exhibit the same degree of dedication to substantive negotiation that other airline management groups have displayed recently, Sicher said. But, the union emphasised that it will continue to negotiate a contract with the airline based in Dallas–Fort Worth in good faith.
The CEO of American Airlines, Robert Isom, recently addressed the airline's pilots directly, promising a hefty wage boost of 40% as well as a variety of lifestyle improvements. Under Isom's unique proposal, a top-rated widebody aircraft Captain may earn up to $590,000 year, an increase of $170,000 above what they already earn.
Isom referred to the deal as a "game changer" that would square up against a pay arrangement that competitor pilots of Delta Air Lines had also approved. The APA rejected a proposed agreement in November of last year that would have ensured a 19 percent compensation raise spread out over two years. To assist lay the framework for a potential strike, the union has already built a strike centre.