American Airlines Flight Attendants Ratify New 5-Year Labor Contract

American Airlines' flight attendants have approved a new five-year labor contract, marking a significant milestone after contentious negotiations with the airline. The deal provides immediate wage increases of up to 20.5% and significant retroactive pay to address the time spent negotiating.

• 87% of the flight attendants who voted approved the contract.
• The deal covers around 28,000 cabin crew members represented by the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA).
• It resolves one of the most contentious contract negotiations in the airline industry.

Wage Increases and Retroactive Pay

The new contract offers substantial wage increases and retroactive pay for American Airlines' flight attendants, who have been pushing for better pay and work conditions.

• Flight attendants will receive immediate wage increases of up to 20.5%.
• They will also receive significant retroactive pay to address the time spent negotiating the new contract.
• These pay improvements come at a time when the cost of living has skyrocketed in recent years.

Avoiding a Strike and Resolving Negotiations

The ratification of the new contract averts the threat of a potential strike by American Airlines' flight attendants, which had been looming if negotiations failed.

• In June, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Labor Secretary Julie Su attended negotiations overseen by the National Mediation Board.
• More than 160 lawmakers had also pushed the NMB to reach agreements across the airline industry.
• American Airlines' CEO, Robert Isom, celebrated reaching this "important milestone" after prioritizing an agreement for the flight attendants.

Industry-Wide Negotiations and Contracts

The American Airlines contract comes amid ongoing negotiations and contract rejections across the airline industry, as workers seek better pay and conditions.

• United Airlines and its flight attendants' union are still negotiating for a new contract.
• Alaska Airlines' cabin crew members recently rejected a tentative labor deal.
• Other industries, such as the auto industry and Hollywood, have also seen workers secure higher pay in new contracts, some after strikes.

Boeing Workers' Contract Vote

In a related development, 33,000 Boeing workers are voting on Thursday on a new contract that includes 25% raises, though some workers have indicated they may reject the deal, potentially leading to a strike.