AMR says 900 flight attendants subject to furlough

CHICAGO, July 2 (Reuters) - AMR Corp (AMR.N: ), parent of American Airlines, said on Wednesday up to 900 of its flight attendants, or 5 percent, will be subject to furlough as part of the carrier's plan to cut capacity to offset record-high fuel prices. An AMR spokesman said the company has notified the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, the workers' union, that the furlough would be effective beginning Aug. 31. The workers subject to involuntary furlough would be the carrier's most junior U.S.-based flight attendants. AMR said in a statement it hopes to limit involuntary layoffs by offering a voluntary retirement option to many U.S.-based and San Juan employees who are at least 50 years old with at least 15 years of service. "Historically, AA has offered many employee groups voluntary options such as... [read full story]