| Updated: 10/05/2012 4:19 pm |
Published: 10/05/2012 3:37 pm
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The local Transport Workers Union released some good news Friday, saying it has been able to "dramatically offset the number of American Airlines mechanics who will be laid off in Tulsa."
The number of people affected by layoffs is 443, according to the union, but 300 of those can move into other positions. That means "around 140 will have to relocate or look for a new job."
The airline, while trying to emerge from Ch 11 bankruptcy, originally set the number of layoffs at 2,700. That number later was readjusted to 1,300. TWU says through discussions and baragaining with the company, as well as early retirement outs, it was able to shrink that number to about a tenth of the most recent estimate of 1,300.
“We hate to experience even one layoff because we know that impacts one of our members and their family,” said Sam Cirri, President of Transport Workers Union Local 514. “But the company originally sought to put over 2,700 of our members on the street as well as outsource the bulk of the work we perform as part of the plan it presented to the bankruptcy court. TWU 514 has greatly reduced these numbers by fighting extremely hard to keep work at the Tulsa base."
Layoffs could go on until February.
The union says 65% of aircraft maintenance will continue to be performed in Tulsa.
