Will American Airlines Flight Attendants Strike After Rejecting 17% Pay Raise?

American Airlines is on the brink of a strike after the labor union of its flight attendants rejected a proposal for an immediate 17% pay raise. CEO Robert Isom made the offer on Wednesday, aiming to advance contract negotiations that have been ongoing without a resolution.

In a video message to flight attendants, Isom stated, "We have made progress in a number of key areas, but there is still a good deal of work to be done."

He emphasized the company's willingness to increase wages immediately without demanding any concessions from the union. "To get you more money now, we presented APFA with a proposal that offers immediate wage increases of 17% and a new formula that would increase your profit sharing," he said.

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) responded by reiterating the need for a more comprehensive, long-term agreement. The union's national president, Julie Hedrick, commented, "This is not that," indicating that the proposal did not meet their expectations for a sustainable contract.

As contract talks continue to stall, the two sides are scheduled to meet with federal mediators next week in what is described as a "last-ditch" effort to reach an agreement. The union has also taken steps to prepare for a strike by opening a "strike command center" to support its members with dedicated phone lines and other resources.

If negotiations fail, federal mediators would be triggered, potentially leading to a strike after several weeks.

While U.S. airline pilots secured new labor deals last year, flight attendants at major airlines, including American, United, and Alaska Airlines, are still negotiating their contracts.

Last month, a group of over 160 house representatives urged the National Mediation Board to assist in these labor negotiations, highlighting the critical nature of securing stable agreements in the airline industry.

Also read - IATA Predicts $30.5 Billion Profit for Airlines Amid Record Revenue in 2024