American issues layoff notices, cuts flight schedule
On Tuesday, American Airlines notified 11,000 workers that they could lose their jobs. The layoffs are part of the airline's restructuring during bankruptcy. The airline said that only about 4,400 of the people who received notices will be laid off in November and December. About 800 employees will leave the airline voluntarily, reducing the number of layoffs. THe move comes after the airline filed for bankruptcy in November, claiming that its labor costs were too high. The airline reached cost cutting agreements with ground workers and flight attendants, but got court approval to end its contract with the pilots, who they are now imposing cost-cutting measures on. The pilots are conducting a strike vote, but say that they have no plans to walk out. the airline is also reducing the number of flights.
See "American issues layoff notices, cuts flight schedule", Karen Jacobs, Reuters, September 19, 2012