After years of talks between American Airlines and its unions, mediators has stated that it will not schedule any new meetings until 2011 as so little progress has been made.
American stopped negotiating with the Association of Professional Flight Attendants in May and mechanics and related employees represented by the Transport Workers Union turned down a proposed contract in late August, as did a smaller TWU unit.
Under US law, the National Mediation Board can decide whether talks are at an impasse. If it decides to release the two sides from mediation, a 30-day cooling-off period begins, then either side can resort to "self-help," such as an imposed contract by the airline or a strike by the union.
The Association of Professional Flight Attendants first asked the National Mediation Board for a release in March. The union is still waiting for an answer.