Southwest Union Asks Its Members Not to Fly American Airlines Because of Judge's Restraining Order

A union representing thousands of workers at Southwest and Alaska airlines is asking its members not to fly American Airlines because of a court fight involving the world's largest carrier and its mechanics."If you care about your families' safety, do not put them on an American Airlines flight until this injunction is vacated," Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association's national director Bret Oestreich said in a statement over the weekend.A federal judge issued a restraining order Friday barring American Airlines' mechanics from interfering in aircraft operations. The airline sued its mechanics in May and accused them of engaging in an illegal work slowdown after contract negotiations stalled.The restraining order means unions and their members cannot encourage or participate in activities like refusing to work overtime with the intention of keeping planes out of service.Oestreich claims the airline is engaging in "efforts to suppress reports of aircraft damage."The Transport Workers Union and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers represent more than 31,000 employees at Fort Worth-based American, including about 12,450 mechanics. Union officials have denied encouraging a slowdown."With the issuance of this injunction, a mechanic who detects corrosion must not only be concerned about losing [his] job; he will now be concerned about facing fines or imprisonment," Oestreich said.  Continue reading...