While workers rallied outside of the courthouse, American Airlines asked a bankruptcy judge to allow them to cut 13,000 jobs and reduce other labor costs. The company is arguing that they are not able to survive without the measures. The company says that the unions have been unreasonable in rejecting concessions, and that labor costs are the reason they are bankrupt. The unions are opposing the plans for layoffs, but three of the main unions representing American Airlines workers said that they would support a merger between US Airways and American Airlines, which would save around 6,000 jobs.
See "American Airlines fires opening shot in court battle with workers", Nick Brown, Chicago Tribune, April 22, 2012