Robert Isom, chief executive at American Airlines, said: “With this new agreement, our TWU-IAM Association-represented team members join their colleagues who have all approved new agreements that underscore American’s commitment to ensuring our team is paid well and competitively.

“I’d like to thank both the Association and company negotiating teams for seeing the important win this contract extension is for our team and for working to reach a deal – one that ensures our team is paid among the best in the industry – so quickly.”

The Transport Workers Union (TWU) represents more than 155,000 workers across the airline, railroad, transit, universities, utilities and service sectors. It is the largest airline workers union in the United States and there are more than 23,000 TWU of America members at American Airlines.

TWU said the negotiations for this contract were completed within five weeks. Alex Garcia, TWU international executive vice president, praised air division director Andre Sutton and air division local presidents for their hard work: “This was a unified effort from the TWU, as the International and locals were able to work in concert to get the job done,” said Garcia.

Sutton said: “TWU has negotiated many industry-leading contracts at other carriers, setting the table for these contracts that will match or lead the airline industry for our American Airlines members.”

TWU international administrative vice president, Mike Mayes, said the local presidents provided important input during the negotiation talks this summer, laying the foundation for a good deal that could be finalised quickly: “The local presidents were instrumental to provide essential details during the talks and then in explaining the positive impacts of the deal to membership.”

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