American Airlines Flight Attendants’ Union Request for Release from Mediation Denied

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants’ (APFA) request to be released from federal mediation has been denied by the National Mediation Board, as confirmed by both the union and American Airlines. This development comes after nearly five years of contract negotiations between the two parties.

Had the request been granted, it would have initiated a 30-day cooling-off period, potentially leading to a strike by American’s more than 26,000 flight attendants. With the denial, mediation will continue.

Julie Hedrick, President of APFA, released the following statement:

“Today, the National Mediation Board (NMB) has denied our request for release into a 30-day cooling-off period. Flight Attendants at American Airlines are working under wages negotiated in 2014, while management continues to prolong bargaining with contract proposals that do not align with the current economic environment.

Corporate greed remains prevalent at American Airlines. For far too long, airline management has exploited workers, channeling profits into their own pockets, as evidenced by American management’s recent lucrative bonus and incentive program.

Like many union members across various industries and occupations, we are not backing down. We will escalate our pressure on the company and continue to assert our rights under the Railway Labor Act governing airline and railroad unions.”

American Airlines also issued a statement following the NMB’s decision:

“We look forward to ongoing negotiations with APFA and achieving an agreement that our flight attendants have rightfully earned.”

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