Labor Day

Labor Day marks more than the unofficial end of summer. It is a national recognition of the workers whose skill, sacrifice, and solidarity built this country. Long before Congress established Labor Day in 1894, working people understood that safe working conditions, a fair wage, and dignity on the job are earned, rarely given.

The same movement that began in the mines, mills, and foundries reached the aviation industry. Before pilots organized, they faced unsafe working conditions, excessive duty hours, and wages that could be cut at management’s discretion. Early aviation was inherently dangerous, and organized labor helped drive the safety improvements that reduced accident rates by more than 99% over the last century.

American Airlines pilots were at the forefront of that effort; in 1939, AA pilots became the first pilot group to achieve 100% membership and negotiate a contract. Organized labor in aviation has never been only about pay. Pilot advocacy produced many of the federal protections, safety standards, and flight time limitations that benefit both pilots and passengers today. 

APA was founded on the same principle that American Airlines pilots should have a strong, voice in the decisions that shape our profession, airline, and careers. Since then, American pilots have continued shaping the profession through industry-advancing contracts and safety innovations: reducing monthly hours without reducing pay, integrating flight engineers and pilots into a single seniority, securing job protections, and leading advocacy efforts on ASAP, secondary barriers, pilot qualification standards, ADS-B requirements, and more.

This Labor Day, we owe a great debt to the pilots who built this career, Association, and airline. We also honor the workers who championed the labor movement and every member who continues that work through coaching and conversations on the flight deck as well as those working tirelessly on one of our many committees.

Our history is not just something to remember. It is something to live up to.

Happy Labor Day!

CA Nick Silva
APA President