American Airlines said Friday that more than 96% of its employees have submitted proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a request for an accommodation from the requirements. In November, the largest US airline delayed the rollout of a mandate requiring its U.S.-based employees to be vaccinated against the coronavirus or to receive a religious or medical exemption until Jan. 4. American said Friday "anyone who isn't vaccinated, including those with an approved accommodation, will be required to complete a weekly self-health declaration, practice social distancing when possible and wear a mask at all times, except when outside and social distancing can be maintained."<br/>
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American Airlines Group and its pilots will seek to reach a short-term contract agreement through a “super negotiations” strategy of accelerated talks starting this month. The two sides will meet five days a week for one month starting Jan. 17, the Allied Pilots Association union told its members. The negotiations will focus on scheduling and compensation in hopes of quickly reaching a contract of two years or less duration, Dennis Tajer, a union spokesman, said Friday. “Post-pandemic, this is the best thing to do,” he said. “Time is your enemy, particularly in negotiations.” American on Friday confirmed the decision to accelerate talks, saying its negotiating team will work full-time toward a contract. “We have made meaningful progress recently and are discussing proposals that would deliver pay raises, enhanced profit sharing and benefits, and significant quality of life improvements to the pilots of American Airlines,” the carrier said in a note to pilots last month. The new negotiating strategy is being used, in part, because compensation for American pilots lags that of competitors, the union said. The organization also hopes to reach agreement on new rules for work scheduling. Airline union contracts don’t expire under the Railway Labor Act, a federal law governing labor management relations. Instead they have an “amendable date,” and the current agreement remains in effect until a replacement is negotiated and approved by union members. The law is designed to avoid interruption of airline service except in rare cases when strikes are permitted.<br/>