American Airlines Warns 11K of Possible Layoffs

American Airlines is sending layoff warning notices to more than 11,000 employees, although a spokesman says the company expects job losses to be closer to 4,400. The notices went out to mechanics and ground workers whose jobs will be affected as American goes through a bankruptcy restructuring. American Airlines spokesman Bruce Hicks says fewer than 40% of those getting notices are expected to lose their jobs.

Hicks said federal law requires the company to notify anyone whose position could change, including those who could get "bumped" by more-senior employees whose jobs are eliminated or outsourced. American said in February that it planned to cut 14,000 jobs, including 13,000 held by union workers. But if Hicks is right, the final job losses will be about a third of that. (More American Airlines stories.)