By Bill Zeeble
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-720304.mp3
Dallas, TX – 5 years ago, the Allied Pilots Association and other unions gave up billions in contract money to help prevent American's bankruptcy.
Today the union calls the pull-together win-together approach between workers and management a lie. The union's Karl Shricker says the pilots are now being asked to make up for record high fuel costs by taking more pay cuts. He says they're working for 1993 wages, while the 5 top executives last year pulled down 24 million dollars in bonuses alone, above and beyond their regular salaries.
Shricker: American Airlines culture has been blame and be glad you have a job.
But the carrier's spokesperson Susan Gordon says the industry's in tough times, and the carrier must stay competitive. She ads the pilots are not only well paid, but managers WANT to work with the union.
GORDON: We've worked hard to involve employee across the company to reach solutions that improve our position. We have an open invitation to the pilots to be part of the team for solutions and they've declined to join in on team building solution meetings.
Pilots and managers are expected to meet again at the end of the month. Bill Zeeble KERA news