Summary
- AFA wants quicker resolutions in negotiations with Alaska Airlines, meeting with mediators to address concerns and push for progress.
- 99.48% of voting AFA members in favor of a strike if contract resolution is not reached, adding pressure to talks with the airline.
- Flight attendants at major US airlines like American and United also locked in talks as they demand better compensation and respect.
Representatives from the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) have met with national mediators as the prospect of an Alaska Airlines flight attendant strike looms large. In February, 99.48% of members voted in favor of a strike if a contract resolution is not reached.
Alaska flight attendants want quick resolution
As negotiations between the union and airline continue without any breakthrough, AFA representatives met with the National Mediation Board (NMB) in Washington, DC. AFA International President Sara Nelson, General Counsel/Director of Collective Bargaining Joe Burns, MEC President Jeff Peterson and Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo had a two-hour meeting with three NMB members “to familiarize the Board with our specific concerns in negotiations.”
Photo: Alaska Airlines
The union is looking to speed up the pace of negotiations as talks stall – in February, it looked like a breakthrough was imminent, with Alaska claiming four tentative agreements had been met in two mediation sessions. Just days later, the results of an authorization vote revealed 99.48% of voting AFA members were in favor of a strike, which should have added impetus to talks.
The AFA has also suggested scheduling additional meetings without their federal mediator present, as this mediator’s “restricted schedule” has slowed down progress in talks. Since Alaska flight attendants’ existing contract became amendable in December 2022, negotiations for an improved deal have proved fruitless, leading the AFA to request federal mediation in September 2023.
No strike release, yet…
The union was keen to stress that it is not looking for a release to strike at this stage as negotiations have not reached an impasse. Should it reach the point where the union is “released” from the mediation process, there will be a 30-day cooling-off period before flight attendants are cleared to strike.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
Flight attendants at fellow US majors American Airlines and United Airlines are also locked in talks with their employers. While pilots have benefited from significantly improved contracts in the post-pandemic era, flight attendants feel they have been left behind amid rising inflation and the cost of living.
Related
In Photo: The Flight Attendant Picket At US Airports
Amidst the backdrop of AFA Alaska’s strike authorization, flight attendants picketed at 30+ airports demanding better compensation and respect.
Since 2006, there have only been two mediation releases from strike deadlines. The AFA states that, “without the threat of a release, management doesn’t move at the table” and will simply continue stalling during negotiations.
Last week, the AFA presented a comprehensive proposal to Alaska management and mediators, which was met with “shock and disappointment” by the airline. The proposal included significant base pay rate increases of between 40-56% depending on experience, as well as improvements to scheduling, vacation and sick leave, along with full retro pay backdated to December 2022.
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