Flight attendants at American seek strike step

DALLAS

Flight attendants at American Airlines are asking federal officials to declare that their talks are at an impasse.

Such a declaration by the National Mediation Board is one step on the way to flight attendants being able to strike if they don't make a contract deal. It's a common stage of negotiations between airlines and unions.

American Airlines gets to respond before the National Mediation Board makes a decision.

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants took big pay cuts in 2003 to keep the airline out of bankruptcy. They want at least some of that compensation back. American is offering raises but the union says the airline wants to keep overall costs flat.

American did not have an immediate response.