American Airlines began mediated talks with the Association of Professional Flight Attendants for the first time since May. The airline is also scheduled to meet with the Allied Pilots Association and the Transport Workers Union this month. The flight attendants union had asked federal mediators to release them from further talks last year, but mediators wanted to wait for the outcome of the TWU's contract vote. Mechanics and store clerks voted down their contract in August, with a survey showing that the contract failed because of work rules and benefit changes. Talks are scheduled to continue through Thursday.
See "American Airlines, unions returning to negotiating table", Andrea Ahles, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, January 3, 2011