Catherwood LibraryILR School

Although American Airlines is losing money, its executives are taking bonuses, prompting the airline's unions to compare the company to AIG. AA has responded by claiming that the union is merely trying to gain bargaining leverage while contracts are up for negotiation. Sources also point out that much of the compensation rewarded to management is in company stock, which is performing poorly and thus less valuable, and that the airline hasn't received any tax-payer money like insurance giant AIG. The unions are quick to remind the company, however, that employees are still being paid reduced wages from 2003 concessions meant to keep AA out of bankruptcy.