A federal bankruptcy judge has approved three labor contracts that were ratified by union workers at American Airlines.

The judge on Wednesday approved deals with flight attendants, mechanics and maintenance clerks.

The pilots rejected a company contract offer last month, and American was expected to begin imposing pay and work terms on them. The company is declining to comment.

American and parent AMR Corp. filed for bankruptcy protection in November. US Airways Group Inc. is trying to force a merger, but AMR has resisted overtures from its smaller rival.