Many airlines are now dealing with the possibility of a strike threat. Although most people have heard that British Airways has been dealing with the treat of industrial action for quite sometime, it now seems that American Airlines will have to do the same. In fact ,this carrier is facing possible disruptions as unions prepare to ballot ground staff over a possible strike.

The Transport Workers Union, which is the union that represents the American Airlines ground staff, has already confirmed that it will ask federal mediators to allow employees to walk away from contract talks with American Airlines if there is no deal by March 8^th.

Despite this threat of a strike, it has been noted that both President Barack Obama and Congress hold the power to block strike action at the airline if they deem it necessary. Some experts say that there is a chance of this happening due to the fragile state of the economy.

The Transport Workers Union represents about 28,000 workers at American Airlines and American Eagle. Their members make up many different job classes including mechanics and bag handlers. Negotiations have been going on four about four years in some cases. The union says that staff are concerned over pay and working conditions.

The parent company of American Airlines, AMR, has lost a total of $3.6 billion in the last two years. This has been due to many things, but most notably rising fuel prices and the big slump in air travel last year.

This strike does come at a bad time for American Airlines. All airlines, as well as other sections of the travel and tourism industry, were hit very hard last year due to the recession. Although things are starting to recover, airlines still have a long way to go before they return to profitability.