The union representing flight attendants at American Airlines has suggested that a deal is closer than ever, giving credit to intense negotiations and direct involvement from Biden Administration figures like Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.
Union Softens Combatative Tone As Flight Attendants Make Progress Toward New Contract Deal At American Airlines
View From The Wing notes that the language of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) has changed: it is far less combative, noting progress and how the two sides are no longer “billions of dollars” apart:
[AA] has added over one billion dollars in additional money over the life of the agreement beyond the May formal proposals. We have made progress at the bargaining table on almost every issue that separates the parties. This includes progress on issues such as wage increases above Delta, increases to per diem, out-year wage increases, retro pay, and beating back scheduling concessions. As a result, the gap separating the parties has narrowed so we are no longer billions of dollars apart.
The union credits Biden Administration officials including Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Secretary of Labor Julie Su:
The company subsequently increased their wage raise to 17% which also increased the value of boarding pay.
Since then, we have engaged in intensive mediation, starting with three straight weeks in DFW and then continuing at the National Mediation Board (NMB) in Washington, D.C., with talks directly supervised by the members of the Board. During this time frame, progress has been made with cabinet-level involvement from Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of Labor Julie Su, and the help of our mediators.
A strike was never likely before the election (the political fallout might have heard might have hurt the incumbent, who has appointed key officials in the National Mediation Board), especially after American Airlines proactively offered a 17% raise.
Note also the union is now using the Delta Air Lines (non-union) contract as a baseline rather than Southwest Airlines.
The two sides will continue to discuss outstanding issues in Phoenix this week “including the date-of-signing wage increases and a select set of other key issues.” The strike is now being framed as a bargaining tactic rather than an imminent threat:
Make no mistake– all the progress we have made at the bargaining table has been due to the pressure of a potential strike.
Speaking as a customer, 1.) I hope that a deal is reached soon and 2.) the deal will include stricter quality control measures to weed out the good from the bad flight attendants. As I’ve said multiple times, my experience with AA crews has been wonderful this year (four whole flights…a small dataset, I know). But I hear from many of you that service is starkly hit or miss…that crews can be lovely or crews can be downright hostile, like the crew who recently decided they did not need to serve pre-departure beverages to first class guests.
Any deal should promote accountability to ensure that flight attendants provide consistent and friendy service on every flight. The safety element of the flight attendant role is a given: the service element should be as well.
image: APFA
Pete’s a hard worker.
After vocally hating their employer and not doing their job for so many months, will they magically revert to providing good service? That seems unlikely unless, as you suggest, strict QC measures are implemented.
The union solely exists to protect the weakest members. They will not be doing QC and this will continue until the airline goes bankrupt again. That’s not to say it’s all on the FA’s, there is plenty of blame to go around. But many of them don’t help.
The union exists to protect its senior members: contract after conract sacrafices junior members for those who have been around longer (exhibit A: no boarding pay).
Yes, it does that as well, but they are not mutually exclusive concepts. In fact, there can be much overlap between the seniors and those that are the weakest which also builds resentment, lowers morale and results in lower consumer satisfaction due to useless senior workers and angry junior workers.
Cross your fingers this rise in labor costs doesn’t cause a 30% drop in profits for the next quarter investor’s report like DL.
Unions always means we the customers get to pay more for less!!! The unions are a liberal left instrument nothing else.. Their leaders get most of the benefits.
Are you that thick?
Where are you getting the union is now using Delta as a baseline for the contract, not Southwest? APFA never said that or even eluded to that in the slightest.
I’m reading the linked APFA update…no mention of Southwest. Several references to Delta. That’s my interpretation, though I don’t think FAs will ratify a new K that doesn’t match WN.
Treat employees well and happy employees treat customers well !
Age old fact –
successful companies do value their employees-
Simple
WAGES NEED TO BE SOUTHWEST OR HIGHER,FULL RETRO PAY, AND PILOTS PER DIEM RATES,
RESTORE THE WEEK VACATION AA STOLE, RESTORE STAFFING AND A DELTA/UNITED ME TO CLAUSE.
AFTER WHAT AA PAID USELESS VASU (AND YOU OF ALL PEOPLE KNOW HOW HE DESTROYED AA)
AA SHOULD BE GLAD WERE NOT ASKING FOR ME!
I liked your article , except your suggestion to weed out the hostile flight attendants, while I understand the sentiment, I also believe it’s crucial to consider why these flight attendants might be hostile in the first place.
Many junior flight attendants work under extremely demanding conditions, earning as little as $27,000 a year while enduring 16-hour duty days with barely any breaks or time for meals. These grueling schedules leave them exhausted and frustrated, which naturally affects their demeanor.
It’s important to hold American Airlines accountable for the environment they’ve created. Addressing the root causes of this dissatisfaction—such as overwork and insufficient pay—will lead to a more positive experience for both employees and passengers.