American Airlines Flight Attendants Prepare for Strike Amid Failed Contract Talks

Flight attendants at American Airlines, represented by the APFA, are gearing up for a strike following unsuccessful contract negotiations. Despite mediated talks and a proposed 17% wage increase, the offer was unanimously rejected by the union. The attendants have faced wage stagnation and challenging conditions since the pandemic.

A union representing flight attendants for American Airlines Group said on Thursday they are preparing to strike after contract negotiations with the carrier failed to produce an agreement this week. The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), which represents about 28,000 American Airlines flight attendants, said after a year of mediated talks with the National Mediation Board, the airline did not come to an agreement that was favorable to the workers. The flight attendants say they have not had a pay raise in more than five years and have endured a lot since the pandemic.

American Airlines said in an emailed statement to Reuters that it will continue to negotiate with the flight attendants so that they benefit from the contract. "This agreement is within reach and we look forward to additional dates being scheduled," the airline spokesperson said.

The current round of negotiations started in January 2020, but was paused at the height of the pandemic. Talks resumed in June 2021. Earlier this month, the airline had offered its flights attendants immediate wage increases of 17% in their new contract, which was later unanimously rejected by the APFA.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)