American Airlines Flight Attendants Ratify New Contract #

Flight attendants at a major U.S. airline have approved a new five-year contract with the company. The agreement was ratified with a significant majority, as 87% of voting members supported the deal. The vote saw a high participation rate, with 95% of eligible flight attendants casting their ballots.

This development comes amid a broader trend in various industries, including aerospace, construction, airlines, and rail, where unions have been pushing for improved wages and benefits in a competitive labor market. Flight attendants, in particular, have been advocating for compensation during boarding and waiting times at airports, which traditionally have not been paid.

The newly ratified contract introduces several improvements, including a new compensation structure for extended waiting periods between flights. Notably, this agreement makes these flight attendants the first unionized group to secure pay for boarding time.

The contract, which was initially reached in July, offers immediate wage increases of up to 20.5% and includes retroactive pay to account for the negotiation period. Beyond competitive wage rates, the agreement addresses various quality-of-life issues that have been priorities for the flight attendants.

Negotiations for this contract began in January 2020 but were temporarily halted during the peak of the pandemic. Talks resumed in June 2021, ultimately leading to this successful ratification.