Flight Attendant Union Prepared to Protect American Eagle Flight Attendants Through Airline Bankruptcy

WASHINGTON, Nov. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) International President Veda Shook issued the following statement today after AMR, the parent company of American Eagle and American Airlines, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization:

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"As details emerge regarding the restructuring of American Eagle and American Airlines, AFA is prepared to represent the best interests of the American Eagle Flight Attendants. The AFA leadership at American Eagle is fully engaged in responding to the bankruptcy filing and, along with our financial and legal advisors, will monitor developments closely. We also are committed to working closely with the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, coordinating efforts as we protect our Flight Attendant careers.

"AFA will continue to defend the jobs, pay and benefits for the over 1,500 Flight Attendants at American Eagle. We are committed to protecting American Eagle Flight Attendants, ensuring the long-term success of the airline and working swiftly through the bankruptcy process with as little disruption as possible. Today's filing does not change pay, benefits or working conditions for Flight Attendants as their contract remains intact.

"Flight Attendants will continue our work as the safety professionals we are proud to be.  We will work closely with all of our fellow front-line workers and their unions throughout the bankruptcy.  As members of AFA, American Eagle Flight Attendants remain proud of the contributions they make daily to the airline.  Chapter 11 is not an excuse to lay failed business decisions on the backs of the hard-working Flight Attendants.  Pure and simple: Flight Attendants and other front-line workers are the airline's greatest asset and they should be recognized and respected as such.

"AFA will ensure Flight Attendants play an integral role in the reshaping and rebuilding of American Eagle. AFA and our team of bankruptcy experts will work tirelessly to see that creative solutions are utilized throughout this process.  We know -- and management knows -- what happens when a carrier fights with its workers in bankruptcy. The key to successful bankruptcy reorganization is commitment to working together toward a strong future.

"AFA has vast experience in restructuring and we have been successful in preserving our profession along the way. With AFA's legal and collective bargaining experience, American Eagle Flight Attendants have industry-leading resources at their disposal."

The Association of Flight Attendants is the world's largest Flight Attendant union. Focused 100 percent on Flight Attendant issues, AFA has been the leader in advancing the Flight Attendant profession for over 65 years. Serving as the voice for Flight Attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill, AFA has transformed the Flight Attendant profession by raising wages, benefits and working conditions. Nearly 60,000 Flight Attendants at 24 airlines come together to form AFA, part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afacwa.org.

SOURCE Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA)

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