[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 6 (Monday, February 15, 1999)]
[Page 225]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the American Airlines-Allied Pilots Association Labor 
Dispute

February 12, 1999

    Over the past several days I have closely monitored the labor 
dispute between American Airlines and the Allied Pilots Association. I 
am concerned about the impact this labor dispute is having on our Nation 
and the traveling public. With the potential for enormous disruption 
over the upcoming Presidents' Day holiday weekend, I urge both parties 
to think of the impact on the traveling public, set aside their 
differences, and work together to resolve the issues between them. We 
have a long history and tradition of settling labor disputes in this 
country under the law. The Railway Labor Act provides the means for the 
airline industry to resolve these disputes.
    It is my understanding that American Airlines canceled up to 80 
percent of its flights yesterday, affecting major cities such as New 
York, Miami, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Chicago, and that it might cancel 
at least half of its scheduled flights today. I commend the cities, the 
airports, the tourism industry, and the other major carriers for doing 
their part to keep domestic air traffic moving. However, even with all 
of the carriers doing their part, it is likely that thousands of 
passengers will be forced to change their travel plans. They are 
innocent bystanders in a dispute that should be set aside over the 
weekend and resolved at the bargaining table.
    Again, I urge both sides to consider the impact their dispute is 
having on the traveling public as well as the millions of Americans who 
depend on the transportation and tourism industries for their 
livelihood.