American Airlines says it will use voluntary buyouts and attrition to avert the need for layoffs this year at its Tulsa maintenance hub.
The airline previously projected that 400 layoffs were necessary this year in Tulsa because its newer fleet of aircraft required less maintenance. But the company said in a statement to the Tulsa World Wednesday that it's making other changes to avoid layoffs in Tulsa this year.
"As we're revitalizing our fleet and completing several aircraft modification incentives in anticipation of American's changing operational needs, we continue to collaborate with the Transport Workers Union (TWU) to find ways to mitigate any potential labor surplus in Tulsa and at the Alliance Airport maintenance base (in the Dallas area)," said a statement from American Airlines. "These efforts to rebalance operations through work schedules and workload will ensure that the impact to our Tulsa and TAESL (Dallas) operations remains minimal."
The company says it will bring MD-80s to Tulsa for structural inspections and use the Tulsa site to check in its new 737s. The airline says it hopes to gradually reduce numbers at the Tulsa base through attrition, retirement and voluntary buyouts.
Transport Workers Union Local 514 treasurer Jay Potter tells the paper that the proposal isn't ideal, but it will save jobs.
"We are happy that they are willing to be flexible with the schedule," Potter said. "There are a lot of people out here that don't like seven-day schedules but they like their jobs." After the facility switches to a seven-day schedule, a number of workers will be asked to go to a four-day work week, working 10-hour shifts Friday through Monday, Potter said. Who gets shifted to weekends will likely depend on seniority. "Enhanced seven-day coverage at either location is cost-effective, saves jobs and provides opportunities for our employees," said a note from American to union workers. "In addition, the increased flexibility provides both organizations the ability to absorb additional work, if necessary."
----------------------
KGOU is a community-supported news organization and relies on contributions from readers and listeners to fulfill its mission of public service to Oklahoma and beyond. Donate online, or by contacting our Membership department.
