Fort Worth-based American Airlines announced Wednesday it would start charging $15 for the first checked bag and will cut domestic flights and lay off workers as it struggles against record-high fuel prices.

American says it will begin charging the fee for the first checked bag beginning June 15. The airline will also raise other fees for services such as reservation assistance to taking on oversized bags. The fees will usually range from $5 to $50 per service.

Last month, American joined other carriers in charging $25 for a second checked bag for some passengers. Parent company AMR Corporation says it plans to cut domestic capacity by 11 percent or 12 percent and cut an undisclosed number of jobs at American and American Eagle.

The move comes as American Airlines pilots and flight attendants staged protests Wednesday in Fort Worth over the airline's current direction.