Flight Attendants at American Airlines Ready for Possible Strike
In a decisive move, American Airlines’ flight attendants have shown their determination to secure better terms. The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) revealed on Wednesday that an overwhelming 99.47% of its members are prepared to authorize a strike if the airline doesn’t agree to fair contract conditions. This labor union represents more than 26,000 flight attendants at the company.
“Flight attendants are enthusiastic and fully prepared for a new contract. The company should not take this strike vote lightly,” declared Julie Hedrick, APFA’s national president.
Should negotiations between the company and the union fall through, APFA has the option to request a 30-day cooling-off period, during which the attendants could initiate a strike.
This development takes place amid ongoing discussions among union workers, which include pilots, employees, and delivery drivers. Their collective bargaining power has grown, fueled by a competitive job market and increasing public support for unions.
Recently, American Airlines’ pilots accepted a fresh contract proposal. This agreement encompasses over $9.6 billion in cumulative pay and benefits hikes spread across four years. The move comes as the airline competes with rivals United Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
As the demand for travel remains strong, airlines are racing to bolster their workforce. This trend has empowered workers to advocate for higher wages and better working conditions.