Sky Talk: Pilots to begin contract negotiations with American in July

"Given American Airlines' competitive position, it is our firm view that meaningful improvements to our current collective bargaining agreement — an agreement reached under duress during Chapter 11 bankruptcy — must be on the negotiating table," the union said in its message to members. "We look forward to a healthy bargaining dialogue with the new management team that reflects the dramatically improved state of American Airlines and the industry itself."

Although the APA negotiated a new contract with American while it was in bankruptcy, the pilots need to negotiate a new joint contract that will cover both the American and former US Airways pilots.