"There is a lot of uncertainty for workers and their families. We're making a public appeal and a call to action to protect American jobs," he said.

American Airlines and parent AMR Corp. filed for bankruptcy protection on Nov. 29 after posting $11 billion in losses since 2001. Company officials have said American's flight schedule could be reduced as the airline reorganizes, resulting in the loss of jobs. American employs about 78,000 people and serves around 240,000 passengers per day.

Local union leaders have feared the salaries and benefits of American's Tulsa workers could be in jeopardy during the bankruptcy process, and city leaders are considering what incentives could keep the maintenance base open.

"I can't emphasize how critical American Airlines is to the city of Tulsa and the whole region," said Clay Bird, the city's economic development director. "We will try to do everything we can to keep as many jobs here as possible."

Rep. Eric Proctor, D-Tulsa, described the decades-long partnership the city has had with the company and said employees here have already made concessions to American leaders.

"All they're asking is for their community to stand with them," Proctor said. "We don't want these jobs going to China or Malaysia."

Sam Cirri, the president of the local union, said he hopes the site will bring attention to "the largest concentration of middle-class jobs in Oklahoma."

"It's critical that our elected officials and community leaders fight to keep these jobs local, instead of allowing this work to be reduced or outsourced overseas," Cirri said in a statement Monday.

A spokesman for American Airlines did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment Monday afternoon. Company officials are expected to meet with union representatives Wednesday in Fort Worth to discuss potential changes to labor agreements as the company goes forward.