American Airlines flight attendants have voted in favor of a strike.
American Airlines Flight Attendants Vote to Authorize Strike
American Airlines flight attendants have voted to authorize union leaders to call for a strike amid contract negotiations with the carrier, according to the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA). The union announced on Wednesday that 99.4 percent of workers voted in favor of giving the union power to authorize a strike if negotiations over pay raises come to a standstill. To back up the vote, the union held picketing events at several airports.
This strike authorization puts added pressure on American Airlines to meet the flight attendants’ demands for higher salaries and increased benefits. Over 26,000 flight attendants are seeking a one-time 35 percent wage increase, a 9 percent annual raise, and improved benefits in a new contract with the airline.
“Today, we sent a clear message to American Airlines management: We are fired up and ready for a contract. They ignore this strike vote at their peril,” APFA National President Julie Hedrick said in a statement. “Our contributions to the success of American Airlines must be recognized and respected.”
A spokesperson for American Airlines stated that the results of the strike authorization vote will not prevent the carrier from reaching an agreement. The airline said, “We’re proud of the progress we’ve made in negotiations with the APFA, and we look forward to reaching an agreement that provides our flight attendants with real and meaningful value.”
The vote does not mean an actual strike is imminent or likely. Federal laws governing airlines require several steps before a strike can occur.
If the company and the union fail to reach an agreement in federal mediation, APFA could request to enter a 30-day cooling-off period. After this period, the attendants would be free to initiate a strike. Additionally, the president and Congress have the power to intervene and potentially delay or block a strike.
This vote follows American Airlines pilots authorizing a strike in May during their contract negotiations with the carrier. However, last week, the pilots approved a new contract that will raise their pay by 40 percent over four years, totaling more than $9.6 billion. Flight attendants are not expected to receive a similar increase as they have less leverage compared to pilots, who are in high demand.
American Airlines and its regional partners operate an extensive international and domestic network, serving nearly 200 million customers annually.
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