Tulsa -
No immediate layoffs are expected at American Airlines Tulsa maintenance base after a federal judge approved new union labor contracts.
"Immediately there may be some slight changes, but you're going to see the major changes more than likely take effect after the first of the year," said Transport Workers Union of American representative, John Hewitt.
Locally, the Transportation Workers Union narrowly approved a new contract with the struggling airline last month. The mechanics group voted in favor of the new contract by a razor-thin margin of 50.25% to 49.75%. The stores group, which handles inventory and materials, voted 79% to 21% in favor.
The court also approved a contract with the Association of Professional Flight Attendants. The company is continuing to work with American Pilots Association to reach an agreement.
The new TWU contract does call for some job cuts at the Tulsa facility. Union officials said those cuts are not expected immediately and the company has not released a firm number of jobs that will be cut. TWU said it expects those layoffs will happen around November or December of this year.
American Airlines CEO Thomas Horton sent out a letter to employees Wednesday, encouraging them that the "restructuring" process is underway.
"Our competitors used the restructuring process to completely reshape their operations. They got better and stronger, growing their revenues and lowering costs across the board. We have made great progress reducing debt and renegotiating leases and contracts, and now these new agreements - combined with the changes across the rest of our team - will make a huge difference in making us more competitive," he wrote in the letter.
Hewitt told Channel 8 that TWU's concern is still for its workers and their families. He introduced us to a machinist who said morale among his co-workers is fairly high, though he said many are opting to retire early.
Workers have until the end of September to opt for early retirement.
