Get All Access for $5/mo

American Airlines Pilots Union Rejects Bonus Pay Aimed at Fixing Understaffing Problems The union is rejecting the holiday offer in favor of more permanent changes.

By Chloe Arrojado

COOPER NEILL | Getty Images

With holiday travel ramping up, airlines are desperate to alleviate staffing problems that have plagued the industry over the past few months.

American Airlines has aimed to address this labor shortage by offering a 50% pay increase to pilots who work during the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's season. However, the Allied Pilots Association (APA), which consists of more than 14,000 American Airlines pilots, rejected the offer.

"The Board received a full briefing from the Negotiating Committee and thoroughly considered all aspects of the proposed [letter of agreement] before voting 20-0 to reject it," the APA wrote in a statement on Tuesday. "While understanding that its rejection creates a disparity among our fellow work groups that have accepted management's proffered incentives, the Board concluded that the need to achieve meaningful permanent improvements in a new collective bargaining agreement must remain APA's focus."

Related: Southwest Pilots' Union Sues Airline Over COVID-19 Response

Union spokesperson Dennis Tajer told CNBC the extra pay was "lazy" and "a clear admission you mismanaged the airline." Instead, the union said it wants more permanent improvements, like with how the airline creates its schedule.

"We are, of course, disappointed, especially since we have holiday pay programs in place for all other frontline groups at the company," Kimball Stone, American's senior vice president of flight operations, and Chip Long, vice president of flight operations, wrote in response, according to CNBC. "But we will continue to look for opportunities to work with APA to support you during the holidays, as well as explore our options to maximize availability of existing premiums."

American Airlines isn't just extending the holiday bonus to pilots in its attempt to fix its staffing problems. It's also offering to pay flight attendants triple for trips during select periods this holiday season, along with extra pay for perfect attendance between mid-November and January. In addition, the carrier is offering other employees $1,000 for perfect attendance between November 15 and January 2.

American Airlines has already exemplified how holiday disruption can descend to disaster. Over Halloween weekend, it was forced to cancel more than 2,000 flights after turbulent weather created staffing issues.

Related: American Airlines Pilots to Picket Over Staff Shortages, Fatigue

Chloe Arrojado

Entrepreneur Staff

Editorial Assistant

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Leadership

Visionaries or Vague Promises? Why Companies Fail Without Leaders Who See Beyond the Bottom Line

Visionary leaders turn bold ideas into lasting impact by building resilience, clarity and future-ready teams.

Science & Technology

5 Automation Strategies Every Small Business Should Follow

It's time we make IT automation work for us: streamline processes, boost efficiency and drive growth with the right tools and strategy.

Marketing

5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Giving a Presentation

Are you tired of enduring dull presentations? Over the years, I have compiled a list of common presentation mistakes and how to avoid them. Here are my top five tips.

Business News

Former Steve Jobs Intern Says This Is How He Would Have Approached AI

The former intern is now the CEO of AI and data company DataStax.

Side Hustle

'Hustling Every Day': These Friends Started a Side Hustle With $2,500 Each — It 'Snowballed' to Over $500,000 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Brand

Paris Emily Nicholson and Saskia Teje Jenkins had a 2020 brainstorm session that led to a lucrative business.

Green Entrepreneur®

How Global Business Leaders Can Build a Sustainable Supply Chain

Businesses can build sustainable supply chains by leveraging technology to reduce environmental impact, optimize resources and track emissions while balancing operational efficiency and sustainability goals.