American Airlines sues the mechanics’ unions for flight disruptions

American Airlines is demanding that the mechanics’ unions pay for hundreds of flight delays and cancellations over the last two months, reports the Dallas News. (https://www.dallasnews.com/business/airlines/2019/08/13/american-airlines-demands-mechanics-unions-pay-enormous-financial-losses-flight-delays-cancellations)

In a new court filing Tuesday, the Fort Worth-based carrier said it wants sanctions “sufficient to compensate American for losses caused” from violations to a June 14 restraining order telling mechanics to cease work slowdowns to punish the company.

It could result in millions of dollars in fines if a U.S. District Court judge decides to hold in contempt of court the Transport Workers Union and International Association of Machinists with 30,000 members at American Airlines.

American Airlines is asking for unspecified damages to be determined at a future court hearing.

On Monday, Judge John McBryde issued a ruling that sided with American Airlines in its ongoing battle with the mechanics. He said union maintenance workers conspired to slow down work by refusing overtime, taking more time on jobs and refusing off-site assignments. The unions have denied they slowed down work.

In less than two months since McBryde issued a temporary restraining order, American Airlines said continuing work slowdowns caused 950 flight cancellations and 280 delays of two hours or longer.

“[The unions’] illegal activity — now twice ordered stopped by this court — has caused (and continue to cause) enormous hardship to American’s customers and team members, enormous financial losses to American, and untold harm in lost customer goodwill,” the company said.

The move is the latest in a May lawsuit brought by American that accused the two unions of a concerted effort to hurt the company over stalled contract negotiations. The two sides have been working on a new joint contract since 2015 following the merger between American and U.S. Airways in 2013.

“[The unions’] illegal activity — now twice ordered stopped by this court — has caused (and continue to cause) enormous hardship to American’s customers and team members, enormous financial losses to American, and untold harm in lost customer goodwill,” the company said.

The move is the latest in a May lawsuit brought by American that accused the two unions of a concerted effort to hurt the company over stalled contract negotiations. The two sides have been working on a new joint contract since 2015 following the merger between American and U.S. Airways in 2013.