Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants Reject Labor Deal Amid Merger Talks

Alaska Airlines’ flight attendants have voted down a new labor agreement that proposed immediate raises averaging over 24%, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA announced on Wednesday. This decision sends both the airline and its union back to the negotiating table amidst ongoing merger discussions with Hawaiian Airlines.

The tentative agreement, reached in June, was described as a “record” deal by the union. It included provisions for boarding pay, back pay, and an average pay increase of about 32% across the three-year contract. Despite these terms, the union has acknowledged that more work is needed to address the flight attendants’ concerns and has planned to survey its members to better understand their priorities before resuming negotiations.

Alaska Airlines expressed its commitment to finding a resolution that acknowledges the essential role of its flight attendants while supporting the airline’s long-term viability. “We remain committed to reaching an agreement that reflects the critical role of our flight attendants and is good for Alaska’s long-term success,” the airline stated.

The rejection of the agreement comes at a time when airline workers across the industry are advocating for higher pay and improved working conditions, following a period where Covid-19 halted most labor negotiations. While pilots at major carriers have successfully secured new agreements in recent years, other airline workers, including flight attendants, continue their push for better compensation.

This labor dispute unfolds as other airlines, such as American Airlines, are finalizing agreements with their flight attendants, and United Airlines continues to negotiate terms with its cabin crew. The outcomes of these negotiations are closely watched across the industry, influencing the broader dialogue about labor conditions in the post-pandemic era.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, cnbc.com