American Airlines flight attendants approve new contract with significant salary increases
American Airlines flight attendants have approved a new five-year labor deal, bringing an end to a contentious contract negotiation. The agreement includes raises of up to 20.5% for cabin crews starting in October. The union announced that 87% of the flight attendants who voted approved the contract. Julie Hedrick, president of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, expressed satisfaction with the new deal, which also includes retroactive pay. Flight attendants at American Airlines are the largest unionized work group at the airline.
The contract agreement comes as a relief for American Airlines, as there was a threat of a strike if a deal could not be reached. Government officials, including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Labor Secretary Julie Su, were involved in the negotiations overseen by the National Mediation Board. The airline industry as a whole has been under pressure to reach agreements, with over 160 lawmakers pushing for deals to be made.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom celebrated the agreement, emphasizing the importance of reaching a deal with flight attendants. Workers in the airline industry have been advocating for better pay and improved work conditions, especially in light of the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and rising living costs.
Meanwhile, United Airlines and its flight attendants’ union are still in negotiations for a new contract, while Alaska Airlines recently saw its cabin crew members reject a tentative labor deal. Other industries have also seen workers securing higher pay through new contracts, sometimes following strikes.
In a separate development, Boeing workers are voting on a new contract that includes 25% raises. The outcome of the vote will determine whether a potential strike could occur at the company.
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Emily Jensen, graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in the UK in 2015 with a degree in Economics. She specializes in financial markets and international trade. After graduating, she worked as an analyst at an investment bank in London, where she developed expertise in global economic trends. She later transitioned into consulting, focusing on fintech ventures and providing insights into global economic developments. Emily is passionate about the intersection of finance and technology and aims to drive innovation in the financial sector.