3.19.24 – Negotiations Update #51: Mediated Negotiations Continue

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Negotiations Update #51

Last week, in conjunction with our status conference with the National Mediation Board (NMB) in Washington, D.C., we held mediated negotiations with the Company on Tuesday, March 12, and Thursday, March 14. We previously reported on our status update with the Board, which may be found here.

At this session, the company gave us a “revised” economic proposal. The proposal did not move on wage rates or any of the other contents of the company’s September 2023 economic proposal, which may be found here. The Company’s proposal would require Flight Attendants to agree to every company demand on outstanding issues, including all of their language in scheduling which we have previously indicated are unacceptable concessions.  

The only change proposed by management was the duration of the agreement. Management modified their proposal from the previous five years to a duration of two years, or, if there is an agreement at United, they would open the contract at that point. They did not propose to match future increases at Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, or any other carrier, but we would have to go back to the table and negotiate to catch up.

The Company’s package proposal:

• Did not budge on their top rate of $76.00, which had previously been rejected.
• Does not contain any further improvements in per diem, premiums, pay provisions, or any other economic areas.
• Does not include any retro pay, which has been identified as a non-starter by your negotiating committee.
• Does include the 401(k) increase and boarding pay as previously proposed.
• Includes a long list of changes to our scheduling provisions which we have previously called unacceptable concessions.

The one provision they did change is the duration with the idea that this would give Flight Attendants immediate raises and then we could go back and negotiate again and again to try and catch up to the industry. American Airlines is perfectly fine with Flight Attendants lagging the industry for an extended period. They have drawn an unreasonable line in the sand, making it clear they have no intention of proposing an industry-leading contract. A contract is not industry-leading or even matching if all we do is catch up once in a while, only to fall behind.

Next Steps

Our meeting with the NMB was an important step in the process. We had the chance to state our position directly to the NMB and advance our case as to why we need to be released. The NMB has told the parties to return to the bargaining table in April and redouble our efforts to reach an agreement.

The company wants to wear us down and agree to their terms. But we simply will not agree and will keep building pressure until they come to the table ready and willing to negotiate a deal.

Management knows that we are unified in our fight for a contract that does not devalue the Flight Attendant profession. We will continue to press our case with the NMB that the Company must either settle this contract or release us to strike. Workers are standing up for fair pay and benefits– now, it’s our turn! We have the support of the public, the media, and Unions across industries and occupations- we will get this done!

Continue to wear your red WAR pin, red lanyard, and bag tags until we secure the contract we’ve earned.

Need pins? Lanyards? Bag tags?

Click here to visit the APFA online store

In Solidarity,

Your APFA Negotiating Committee

Reese Cole
Kelly J. Hagan
Julie Hedrick
Timothy Legeros
Brian Morgan
Wendy Oswald
Susan Wroble
Joe Burns, Lead Negotiating Attorney

[email protected]