FORT WORTH -- With buyout offers accepted and new contracts in place, American Airlines said it will lay off as few as 290 mechanics and store clerks as part of its restructuring plan.
That's much less than the carrier expected when it announced its restructuring plan in February. At the time, it said 4,600 positions would need to be eliminated.Across its network, American said, 222 mechanics, 33 store clerks and 35 facility mechanics will lose their jobs. American sent furlough notices to affected workers Thursday.Transport Workers Union international representative Don Videtich called the lower figures "good news at the end of the day." He said that while 964 mechanics will see their positions eliminated, American has 742 vacancies that they can fill. At its Alliance maintenance facility in Fort Worth, which is expected to close within months, 814 workers received notices. Many of those will be able to move to other American maintenance facilities that have vacancies.Last month, the carrier said more than 1,500 mechanics and store clerks applied for an early-out program, which offered at least $12,500 in severance to those volunteering to leave."Through contractual changes negotiated with the TWU and the voluntary separation packages, along with the number of vacant positions available throughout the system, we now expect as few as 290 furloughs -- more than 90 percent less than the 4,600 positions we anticipated when we started the restructuring process and more than 85 percent less than the 1,972 Mechanics and Material Logistics Specialists that were sent reduction letters," American spokesman Bruce Hicks said.He said affected employees are being offered career counseling and other transition resources.Andrea Ahles, 817-390-7631Twitter: @Sky_TalkHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
