At the moment, we’re seeing flight attendants at most major US airlines trying to ratify new contracts (except at Delta, where flight attendants aren’t unionized). Flight attendants largely haven’t had pay increases since before the pandemic, and are looking for significant raises, to reflect the inflation we’ve seen in recent years.
Back in April, Southwest flight attendants became the first to ratify a new contract, and it’s probably the richest flight attendant contract we’ve ever seen, in terms of wage increases, retroactive pay, and more.
There’s now a positive update for another US airline, as Alaska flight attendants now have a tentative agreement on a new contract, which should help with labor relations at the Seattle-based oneworld carrier.
In this post:
Alaska flight attendants reach new tentative agreement
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, which represents Alaska’s flight attendants, has just announced that it has reached a tentative agreement with Alaska management for a “record contract.”
The union describes this tentative agreement as having been reached with the help of the National Mediation Board (NMB). Over the past week, negotiations took place in Washington, with AFA International President Sara Nelson and AFA General Counsel in attendance, along with Alaska Chief Operating Officer Constance von Muehlen.
Exact details of the contract aren’t yet being released. The union states that in the coming days, both parties will “work to clean up the contract language to present the full text of the TA to the Master Executive Council.” The Master Executive Council will then vote to release the agreement for a full membership ratification vote.
Back in February 2024, Alaska flight attendants voted to authorize a strike, with 99.48% of participants voting in favor of a strike (and 93.47% of flight attendants participating in the vote). So it’s good to see that there’s finally some common ground between management and the union.
However, I wouldn’t assume it’s a given that the membership will necessarily ratify the new contract. For example, Southwest flight attendants rejected the first tentative agreement they were presented by the union during their negotiations, and only ratified the second agreement, after additional improvements.
I’m curious how lucrative this contract is
It’s interesting how the union is referring to the tentative agreement as a “record contract.” Is that suggesting that this is the most lucrative contract that has been negotiated in the entire industry so far, or just a record for the airline (which seems like it would be a given)?
The reason I ask is because historically Alaska hasn’t exactly had the best pay in the industry. The airline has paid much better than ultra low cost carriers, but not consistently to the same level as carriers like Southwest.
Southwest flight attendants have ratified a new contract whereby they get immediate 22% pay increases, and 3% pay increases in each of 2025, 2026, and 2027. On top of that, they received retro pay, which comes out to around $18K per flight attendant. Does that mean Alaska flight attendants are getting contracts that are even more lucrative?
With a second carrier now nearing a new contract, this should also help American flight attendants with getting a new contract, as American has had the most hostile negotiations on a new contract.
Bottom line
The union representing Alaska flight attendants has announced that a tentative agreement has been reached for a new “record contract.” The details are expected to be released in the coming days, so it’ll be interesting to see the details.
It’s great news that flight attendants at a second US airline are nearing a new contract, as it should help with this cycle of negotiations, providing stability to passengers (though perhaps a little less stability to the bottom line of airlines).
What do you make of Alaska flight attendants getting a tentative agreement on a new contract?
If a CEO of major airline negotiating new contracts with FA falls in a forest…Do they male a sound?
Hopefully it won't be like the UAW workers at Stelantis. They negioated a very generous contract and now layoffs are occurring to reduce cost.
Sounds like the AFA should put a billboard outside the APFA headquarters:
"If you'd voted in AFA, you'd have a contract by now."
Isn't the lead negotiator for AFA CWA on loan to AFPA, leading negotiations between AA and AFPA?
I find it interesting that Delta isn't unionized, yet is the most profitable and has the best service of the big 3/4. Fascinating.
The US has soured on mergers, I think it's 50/50 that the Alaska/Hawaiian merger goes through.
Yet Delta flight attendants have the weakest work rules. The reason for this? No union! They are no longer the highest paying either… Southwest Airlines is way ahead of them!
They also have a lot of flexibility and ability to work with crew members when they have happenings in life.
A friend of mine is a flight attendant for American (been there since 1995) and dealing with cancer. She's about to lose her job because the letter of the contract is about to attendance point her out the door over illness. Things like using vacation time during a month to cover treatments (FMLA has...
They also have a lot of flexibility and ability to work with crew members when they have happenings in life.
A friend of mine is a flight attendant for American (been there since 1995) and dealing with cancer. She's about to lose her job because the letter of the contract is about to attendance point her out the door over illness. Things like using vacation time during a month to cover treatments (FMLA has run out) and then getting double penalized because of a subsequent call out.
@Nedskid
Oh, that’s not what I heard. FMLA is a must at Delta. Call out more than 3 times in a year? You’re close to termination there and oh you’ll need to form a relationship with a supervisor when you’re in trouble because everyone does things different. That’s not a thing at a union carrier and it’s by the book. Why you ask? Because there is clear and concise written language in a contract....
@Nedskid
Oh, that’s not what I heard. FMLA is a must at Delta. Call out more than 3 times in a year? You’re close to termination there and oh you’ll need to form a relationship with a supervisor when you’re in trouble because everyone does things different. That’s not a thing at a union carrier and it’s by the book. Why you ask? Because there is clear and concise written language in a contract. Please don’t speak on things you’re not educated on
@Brian
Profit sharing is not guaranteed money that’s if the company is doing well. In times like COVID and the possibility of a forlough you won’t be getting it or very little. Southwest is the highest paying regardless it does not go by profit sharing sorry to break it to you.
Let me first say I don't have a dog or pony in this show. However I do have a question if things are that bad at Delta or if employees are 3 callouts away from termination in a year why is the AFA having such a hard time getting them to unionize? I know FA's at United that have called out 3 times in the first two months of this year and still working thanks...
Let me first say I don't have a dog or pony in this show. However I do have a question if things are that bad at Delta or if employees are 3 callouts away from termination in a year why is the AFA having such a hard time getting them to unionize? I know FA's at United that have called out 3 times in the first two months of this year and still working thanks to their contract/work rules.
I would think with plenty of ex-Northwest FA's still working if things were that bad at Delta it would be easy for the AFA to unionize Delta FA's but that doesn't seem to be the case. The AFA has been claiming they are organizing at Delta since late 2021 and we are nearing the halfway point of 2024 and they appear no closer to calling for a vote today than they were in 2021. We will have to see if this Alaska "record breaking contract" will be the difference maker and push Delta FA's closer to unionization.
Delta FAs got a 5% pay bump this year and share in the most generous profit sharing. Their overall compensation will put them ahead of Southwest FAs. It is cute though you tried make Delta FAs seem less compensated for being non unionized. If it wasn't for Delta, FAs would never have received pay while boarding in new contracts.
Tell that to Delta employees as they cash the most generous profit sharing checks in the industry and look at total compensation. Delta FAs got a 5% pay bump this year, WN got 3%. Also Delta has the b3st employee/management relations. WN has a corporate raider that want to change their culture as a major investor.
Alaska, like Southwest, values its employees and the level of service it provides.
It isn't a surprise that they are following Delta's non-union lead in pushing for higher wages.
Airlines for America says that labor costs are growing faster than revenues AND that labor productivity is going DOWN so it is a big deal for airlines to sign expensive new contracts.
Clearly some airlines will choke on the high costs but Alaska...
Alaska, like Southwest, values its employees and the level of service it provides.
It isn't a surprise that they are following Delta's non-union lead in pushing for higher wages.
Airlines for America says that labor costs are growing faster than revenues AND that labor productivity is going DOWN so it is a big deal for airlines to sign expensive new contracts.
Clearly some airlines will choke on the high costs but Alaska is very likely an airline that will find its way back to the top of the industry.
And, given the pending merger with Hawaiian, this is essentially a pay raise for HA FAs so don't underestimate the part the merger plays in AS' decision to settle.
and it is AA AND UA that will be shelling out much bigger bucks for FA and other open labor contracts.
AA particularly is revenue-challenged so that company is being more resistant to settling but there are still a number of open labor contracts in the industry including at UA.
This puts pressure on AA to resolve its FA contract or hit a strike in the busy summer season.
LOL, the Biden admin will NOT let them strike efore the election and all parties know this. Maybe the dues paying FA's don't realize this, but once the Union waited MONTHS to not negotiate so they cpuld vote in new highly paid Union Officers: the possibility of a Strike before the elections went down the tubes. Dummies should have taken the 17% raise for now and waited out for the real contract.
I don't see how it would put pressure on AA. It is not like AA FA flight attendants can switch to Alaska. I don't Alaska would want any of them.
Congratulations to them in being able to come to a mutually beneficial agreement , well sort of so far , everyone deserves to be paid a decent wage