APA board of directors votes to approve Tentative Agreement with American Airlines management.

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 20, 1996--The board of directors of the Allied Pilots Association, collective bargaining agent for American Airlines' pilots, voted ten to eight to approve the Tentative Agreement reached on Labor Day with American Airlines' parent company AMR Corp.

The APA board made its decision during a special meeting in downtown Dallas.

"The Tentative Agreement clearly does not meet everyone's expectations," said APA President Captain James G. Sovich. "Among the areas that some members of our board have continued to cite as deficient: there remains a lack of trust in management; Eagle flying Regional Jets is potentially to our detriment; and in a time of record profits, we did not secure year-by-year book-rate cost-of-living salary increases.

"However, given the contracts in force at our major competitors, the Tentative Agreement may nevertheless be all that we can realistically expect to achieve without a major confrontation with management," he said. "I am well aware of our membership's willingness to engage management in a confrontation if necessary -- the strike ballot results provided overwhelming proof of their resolve. I am also well aware of the fact that one of our major stated objectives in this negotiation was to convince management to invest in the core airline."

Sovich noted that AMR Corp. has been scheduled to make an announcement tomorrow morning regarding a major aircraft purchase, pending the results of the APA board's vote.

"Investing in the core airline with a mixture of replacement and expansion aircraft should be recognized for what it is: good news and a positive byproduct of this Tentative Agreement," he said.

Among the other positive aspects of the Tentative Agreement that Sovich cited: industry-leading pay rates, furlough and job protections for all pilots presently employed by American Airlines, comprehensive pension protection and greater flexibility over pilot work schedules.

The next step in the membership ratification process will be for APA to mail detailed information on the Tentative Agreement to all of its members. APA will then host a series of "road shows" at each of its pilot bases around the country to provide additional information and answer questions. The membership will vote whether to ratify the contract next month. -0-

Founded in 1963 and headquartered in Arlington, Texas, APA represents all 9,150 American Airlines pilots.

CONTACT: Allied Pilots Association, Arlington

Gregg Overman, 972/988-3188 ext. 280