Program Information

American Airlines Mechanics Are Threatening the Bloodiest, Ugliest Battle in Labor History

Series:

Subtitle:

Program Type:

Weekly Program

Featured Speakers/Commentators:

Contributor:

Ken Nash and Mimi Rosenberg Contact Contributor

Date Published:

June 21, 2019, 1:28 p.m.

Summary: American Airlines Mechanics Are Threatening the Bloodiest, Ugliest Battle in Labor History
with
John Samuelsen, President, Transport Workers Union

Mechanics at American Airlines are threatening to strike if a new contract isnt negotiated, and the union president has declared that employees are prepared for the dispute to erupt. TWU president John Samuelsen confronted American Airlines president Robert Isom and told him that the union was prepared to strike. I stand here to tell you"in front of this whole room, in front of everybody, anybody whos listening"that youre not going to get what you want, said Samuelsen. If this erupts into the bloodiest, ugliest battle that the United States labor movement ever saw, thats whats going to happen. Youre already profitable enough.

Samuelsen also told Isom that workers are desperately trying to avoid whats called a self-help situation under the Railway Labor Act. That means the company would be able to force employees into a contract without union approval if the government condones it. If we ever get to a point where theres self-help, we are going to engage in an absolutely vicious strike action against American Airlines to the likes of which youve never seen, said Samuelsen. Not organized by airline people, but organized by a guy that came out of the New York City subway system thats well inclined to strike power, and who understands that the only way to challenge power is to aggressively take it to them. Were going to shut this place down.

Credits: produced by Ken Nash and Mimi Rosenberg

Notes: please notify us if you plan to broadcast this program - knash@igc.org

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