American Airlines flight attendants have approved a five-year labor contract, bringing an end to prolonged negotiations and securing substantial pay increases. The agreement, approved by 87% of voting members, includes immediate wage hikes of up to 20.5%, along with retroactive pay for the time spent in negotiations. The deal, announced Thursday, is seen as a significant victory for the roughly 28,000 flight attendants represented by the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA).
“This contract marks a significant milestone for our flight attendants, providing immediate wage increases of up to 20.5%, along with significant retroactive pay to address time spent negotiating,” said APFA President Julie Hedrick.
The approval of the contract is a relief for American Airlines, as the company had faced the possibility of a strike if an agreement had not been reached. The negotiation process, which was overseen by the National Mediation Board, had even drawn the attention of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Labor Secretary Julie Su, who participated in talks earlier this year. Lawmakers had also pressured for an agreement, pushing for resolutions across the airline industry.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, calling the deal an “important milestone” and a top priority for the airline. The contract marks the end of one of the airline industry’s most contentious labor negotiations, which had been delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic and exacerbated by rising living costs.
The flight attendants’ contract follows similar labor movements across various industries, as workers increasingly push for better wages and working conditions. Recently, labor disputes in industries like automotive and entertainment have resulted in higher pay for workers, with some deals being reached after strikes.
Meanwhile, other airlines continue to face labor challenges. United Airlines and its flight attendants are still negotiating a new contract, and Alaska Airlines recently saw its cabin crew reject a tentative agreement. As the airline industry recovers from the pandemic, labor negotiations remain a central issue, with unions demanding fair compensation for their work and the increased cost of living.
American Airlines’ new agreement sets the stage for future contract negotiations across the industry, as unions seek to improve conditions for workers who have been critical to the recovery of air travel.
READ MORE: