By Alwyn Scott
NEW YORK, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Union leaders who represent
American Airlines pilots approved a tentative agreement Saturday
for how the airline could merge with US Airways.
The board of the Allied Pilots Association (APA) said it
voted 11-5 to approve a so-called memorandum of understanding
that, with approval of other parties, "would serve as a
framework for an agreement" if the airlines merge.
The union declined to provide details of the agreement,
citing a non-disclosure agreement it sign as a party to the
merger talks.
American, which is restructuring in bankruptcy court, is in
talks to merge with US Airways. American could merge as part of
the structuring process or exit bankruptcy and then decide
whether to merge. A merger could be announced as soon as Jan. 9,
when AMR's board is due to meet.
A framework for the unions' labor agreements are a crucial
part of the merger discussions. The APA said it is in talks with
officials from American's parent, AMR Corp, US Airways and the
US Airline Pilots Association, which represents US Airways
pilots. Also included in the talks is the Unsecured Creditors
Committee, which represents creditors of American.