Airline Labor Relations: Information on Trends and Impact of Labor Actions.

摘要

Observers of the interactions between airline management and labor have long characterized these labor relations as contentious and adversarial. Negotiations between unions and airlines, for example, have taken up to 4 years to complete. Unions and airlines have each prolonged negotiations for their financial benefit. The importance of labor relations has recently been magnified by the financial crisis facing many airlines. Since September 11, 2001, US Airways, United Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines have entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and American Airlines is fighting to avoid bankruptcy. US Airways, United, and American have all had to obtain the consent of their unions for contract concessions to substantially cut labor costs. At stake, according to industry observers and financial officials, has been the continued existence of at least two airlines. The process under which labor negotiations in the airline industry take place is substantially different than the process of most other industries. Airline labor contracts do not expire, and their negotiations can include a series of steps--including mediation, arbitration, and presidential interventions--specifically designed to avoid an impasse that would interrupt the flow of essential commerce.