American Airlines & National Mediation Board

Many times, Unions use the threat/use of a strike as their BATNA. Looks like AA wants to go through with it in this case.

The interesting aspect of this is they have to ask the NMB for permission.

From the Dallas News:

This week, the National Mediation Board will take up the requests of two American Airlines Inc. unions that want to be released from mediation and be allowed to strike. This is the first time the board has faced such a request involving a major carrier since President Barack Obama took office in January 2009. And the industry – both airline managements and unions – are looking to see how the NMB handles these cases.

"What you're asking me in part is a political question," said Fordham University finance professor Frank Werner. "My guess is that the National Mediation Board is not going to be very excited about allowing a 30-day cooling period."

Full article [here].

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