American Airlines threatens pilots’ union with court action if slowdown continues
Don't worry, they're just bluffing about taking legal action...
Remember the march to victory of the last great APA sickout and slowdown years ago? The union published the usual admonitions against doing anything illegal while winking at the 'self help'. Seems like AA later forgave most of the fine in exchange for further concessions.
Friday, April 16, 1999
Pilots Union Fined $45 Million For Sickout -- American Airlines Says It Lost $50 Million From 10-Day Protest In Feb.
By Katie Fairbank
AP
DALLAS - American Airlines' pilots union will appeal a $45.5 million fine it received for not halting an illegal sickout that led to cancellation of more than 6,700 flights earlier this year.
A federal judge yesterday fined the Allied Pilots Association (APA) - which has assets of $38 million - for ignoring his order to tell pilots to return to their cockpits during a February job action. The money will go to the air carrier.
American said it lost $50 million in revenue during the 10-day sickout that stranded hundreds of thousands of travelers.
"We strongly disagree with the court's decision to transfer any of APA's funds to management, much less the huge fine announced today," union President Rich LaVoy said yesterday. "As for our immediate next steps, APA will pursue all of its legal options to protect the union and its memberships."
U.S. District Judge Joe Kendall previously had held the union and its top two officials - LaVoy and union Vice President Brian Mayhew - in contempt.
LaVoy and Mayhew had placed $15,000 with the court as damages were assessed, along with the union's $10 million bond.
Kendall scheduled a hearing for Monday to determine how the fine will be divided among the three parties. He also ordered the union to place a second $10 million with the court.
American Airlines said it took no "particular pleasure" in the verdict. "They're victims of this as are we," said airline spokeswoman Andrea Rader. "We went to court to get the sickout to stop. We want to close this chapter and get on with labor peace."