June 20 (Reuters) - A union representing flight

attendants for American Airlines Group ( AAL ) said on Thursday

that the latest round of talks with the carrier did not lead to

an agreement this week.

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA),

which represents about 28,000 American Airlines ( AAL ) flight

attendants, said it has moved closer to a strike as the airline

did not present a favorable agreement.

The airline's flight attendants, however, cannot walk off

the job until the National Mediation Board (NMB) grants them

permission.

The board will first have to determine that both the parties

are at an impasse and further bargaining would not be

productive. This lengthy and complex process makes it rather

difficult for airline workers to strike.

Last year, the NMB denied a request from the union to be

released from federal mediation.

American Airlines ( AAL ) in an emailed statement to Reuters on

Thursday said it will continue to negotiate with the union so

that its flight attendants benefit from the contract.

"This agreement is within reach and we look forward to

additional dates being scheduled," the airline spokesperson

said.

The current round of negotiations started in January 2020,

but was paused at the height of the pandemic. Talks resumed in

June 2021.

Earlier this month, the airline had offered its flights

attendants immediate wage increases of 17% in their new

contract, which was later unanimously rejected by the APFA.