Allied Pilots Association Voices Concern over Legislation That Provides for Arbitration in Combining Seniority Lists.

FORT WORTH, Texas -- The Allied Pilots Association, collective bargaining agent for the 12,000 pilots of American Airlines (NYSE: AMR), expressed its concern over legislation that provides for binding arbitration to determine the make-up of combined seniority lists when air carriers merge.

Missouri Senators Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and Kit Bond (R-MO) led efforts to attach the legislation to an omnibus appropriations bill that the Senate subsequently approved.

"While this legislation is no doubt well-intentioned, APA does not favor legislative branch involvement in any aspect of labor negotiations," said APA President Captain Lloyd Hill. "We believe this legislation could have adverse, unintended consequences for the very same unionized workers that Congress was trying to help."

Founded in 1963, the Allied Pilots Association--the largest independent pilot union in the U.S.--is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. APA represents the 12,000 pilots of American Airlines, including 2,287 pilots on furlough. The furloughs began shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks. Also, several hundred American Airlines pilots are on full-time military leave of absence serving in the armed forces. The union's Web site address is www.alliedpilots.org.

American Airlines is the nation's largest passenger carrier and fifth-largest cargo carrier.