American Airlines, union reach - 12:59, 1/01/1970

American Airlines and the Transport Workers Union reached a tentative three-year agreement for a Mechanic & Related Group contract on Wednesday, according to the airline and the TWU website.

Workers will receive a 6-percent signing bonus lump sum once they ratify the contract, according to the TWU posting.

Workers received a 3-percent pay hike, which was effective on Wednesday. They will earn another 1.5-percent pay increase on May 5, 2011, and again on May 5, 2012.

The agreement represents 4,750 TWU workers in Tulsa. Companywide, the agreement impacts 11,500 of AA's 25,000 TWU workers. The agreement runs for three years, to May 5, 2013. It includes a provision that allows either AA or fake rolex the union to open discussions earlier and allows the TWU to open early talks on wages under limited circumstances, according to the TWU website.

Calls to Steve Luis, TWU Local 514 president, were not returned prior to press time.

The tentative agreement provides mechanics with market-based compensation, including structural increases, and enhancements to other contract items such as vacation, holidays and sick leave, said Missy Latham, AA spokeswoman.

"It also provides American additional flexibility in its maintenance operation," she said.

Both parties worked hard and put a significant amount of time and effort into the negotiating process, Latham said.

"They reached a tentative agreement that recognizes the interests of our TWU-represented employees and the company," she said. "It is our understanding the TWU is recommending the ratification of the tentative agreement and will provide details Mulberry Replica Handbags regarding its terms and the ratification process to their members in the coming days."

Also, the tentative agreement calls for a 24/7 schedule at the overhaul bases, according to the TWU posting.

"Shifts will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, allowing more scheduling flexibility for employees and giving American the ability to compete with MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) companies by increasing production hours," the website reports.

Transport Workers Union workers would receive three additional holidays under the proposal, up from the current five. Also, the holiday work rate of pay would go from one-and-a-half to double time upon ratification.

American Airlines had no comment on the details of the tentative agreement.

American Airlines has more than 50,000 employees represented by unions, including the 11,500 under this tentative agreement.