The Transport Workers Union said it won't ask the National Mediation Board to release TWU and American Airlines into a 30-day cooling-off period until Thursday at least.

The TWU's statement:

"NMB Board Member Linda Puchala has asked the TWU and its representatives gathered in Washington today to hold off filing for release from mediation until at least March 11. An announcement had been planned for today.

"The union is honoring her request.

"The TWU will have further information this Thursday."

John Conley, International Air Transport Division president, had said the TWU will see a release from the NMB today, Monday, March 8, if the union didn't have an acceptable deal from American.

Association of Professional Flight Attendant president Laura Glading told Puchala Thursday evening that the APFA wanted to meet with the NMB to request a release into the 30-day period.

We haven't heard yet when and if that meeting will occur, but it might be timed with the TWU request. That's just our idle speculation.

Monday is the last of three days scheduled for talks between American and TWU's fleet service clerks and ground service employees.

TWU represents seven bargaining units, four of which are combined in the fleet and ground service negotiations. Most of the TWU units began talks with American in November 2007. Federal mediators have been sitting in since early 2009.