Kansas City, Mo ? Working against the clock, a labor union sought the public’s help Tuesday in persuading American Airlines to keep open its overhaul base at Kansas City International Airport.

Leaders of the Transport Workers Union called on residents and workers to send e-mails and faxes to American chief executive officer Gerard Arpey urging that the airline keep all three of its overhaul bases open.

American is expected to announce soon what the future holds for its overhaul operations in Fort Worth, Texas, its home city; Tulsa, Okla., the largest base with 8,300 workers; and Kansas City, where about 2,100 people are employed maintaining American’s jetliners.

Despite the need for renovation at the Kansas City facility, its employees are among the most productive in the industry, according to the union.

Gordon Clark, president of Transport Workers Union Local 530, said the message to the airline should be that “we want to continue to do that as long as you make a commitment to us.”

Kansas City and Missouri officials have assembled a package of incentives worth more than $200 million to American if the base is kept open. Mayor Kay Barnes, City Councilman Bill Skaggs and others have met twice with executives of the airline to press their case.

Last month, Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., pledged to seek $5 million to improve the base if American keeps it open. Bond serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Voters in Tulsa County, Okla., approved an economic development package last month that earmarks $22.3 million for improvements at American’s overhaul base there.