11.14.22 – American Airlines Flight Attendants to Picket Over Management’s Rejection of Contract Improvements

APFA Press Release

Monday, November 14, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Paul Hartshorn, Jr.
[email protected]

American Airlines Flight Attendants to Picket Over Management’s Rejection of Contract Improvements

(Euless, TX) — On Tuesday, November 15, 2022, American Airlines Flight Attendants, represented by the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), will hold picketing events at eleven Flight Attendant bases across the United States to bring attention to management’s continued rejection of contract proposals that will improve American’s operational reliability and Flight Attendant work life.

“American management has repeatedly stated that revenue and passenger demand has never been stronger,” said Julie Hedrick, National President of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants. “Flight Attendant work schedules are built to the limit with reduced rest, allowing for little leeway when weather events affect our hub cities and your flights. Operational recovery takes longer, and our crews and passengers suffer.”

“American is trying to operate a schedule that is stretched thinly, with little consideration for quality of work and personal life. Flight Attendants, and all American employees have returned the company to profitability. Contractual proposals address the sacrifices made by our Flight Attendants during the pandemic and bring needed flexibility, adequate compensation, and work rule improvements.”

Issues include:

While American’s flight hours have returned to pre-pandemic levels, flight hours are being flown with thousands fewer Flight Attendants, making it more challenging to recover from weather events.

Longer work days, minimal rest, and more rescheduled operations lead to exhaustion, crews timing out, and markedly impact quality of life.

Absent a cost of living wage increase since January 2019, new-hire Flight Attendants are forced into high-cost cities at crew bases like Boston, Miami, and New York. Housing costs are astronomical in many of our hub cities, and Flight Attendants struggle to afford housing and the cost of living.

What:
Systemwide Airport Informational Picketing

When:
Tuesday, November 15th, 2022
11:00 am- 1:00 pm (local time)

Where:
BOS: Boston/ Logan International Airport, Terminal B West Arrivals, Doors B103-B104.
JFK: New York- John F. Kennedy Airport, T8, departure level outer walkway.
PHL: Philadelphia International Airport, Terminal A West.
DCA: Washington National Airport, Terminal 2, ticketing level, North Terrace.
CLT: Charlotte/ Douglas International Airport, NW corner of Wilkinson Blvd/Josh Birmingham Pkwy intersection.
MIA: Miami International Airport, Terminal D, upper level.
DFW: Dallas/ Ft. Worth International Airport, Terminal D, departures, door D40.
ORD: Chicago/ O’Hare International Airport, Departures, between T2 and T3 sidewalk.
PHX: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Terminal 4, SE end- level 2.
SFO: San Francisco International Airport, Harvey Milk Terminal 1, upper roadway, departures, doors 1-5.
LAX: Los Angeles International Airport, between T4 & Tom Bradley terminal, departures level.