6.12.24 – 32 U.S. Senators Urge NMB To Resolve Prolonged Contract Negotiations

32 U.S. Senators Urge NMB to Resolve Prolonged Contract Negotiations

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

Sen. Sanders and 31 Senators Call on National Mediation Board to End Delays and Allow Airline Workers to Strike If Agreements Can’t Be Reached 

Today, 32 U.S. Senators wrote to the National Mediation Board (NMB) urging them to use all provisions of the Railway Labor Act to resolve prolonged contract negotiations. APFA members answered the Call to Action by writing and calling their Senators, urging them to stand up for their rights as Union members. Thank you to APFA activists and constituents for rising to the occasion and thank you to our Union siblings at AFA-CWA for collaborating to send this strong message to the NMB!

Did your Senators sign the letter? Find out here.

If your Senators signed this letter, please reach out to thank them!

APFA National President Julie Hedrick thanked the Senators for supporting our industry-wide fight:

“Contract negotiations must have reasonable deadlines in order for both parties to be motivated to reach an agreement. APFA thanks Senator Bernie Sanders for leading this letter to the National Mediation Board that says exactly that. It’s been five years since APFA members worked under an updated contract and our members are not able to wait any longer. Thank you to the 32 Senators who joined in backing this message in support of improving wages and working conditions for hardworking Flight Attendants.” -Julie Hedrick, National President, Association of Professional Flight Attendants, representing 28,000 American Airlines Flight Attendants
Chair Bernie Sanders and 31 Senators sent a clear message on delayed contract negotiations:

“We are concerned about the increasing number of contract negotiations before the NMB that are being unnecessarily drawn out at the expense of workers,” wrote the Senators. “We understand that there are ongoing negotiations that have dragged on for as long as five years and we have heard from workers who are rightfully frustrated that they are being subjected to unfair delays in bargaining. Without new contracts, these workers are left further and further behind…”

The Senators continued: “In particular, over 100,000 Flight Attendants have recently been or currently are stuck in contract negotiations with many working under contracts that expired several years ago. Earlier this year, tens of thousands of Flight Attendants around the world rallied to demand fair contracts from six airlines. These workers were on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic and were instrumental in saving the airline industry from collapse, but now, in some cases, find themselves working for pre-pandemic wage levels. They deserve better.”

Read the full press release here.

The Railway Labor Act (RLA) was intended to facilitate prompt resolution of labor disputes; however, our negotiations have dragged on for far too long. Workers under the RLA should be able to exercise our right to strike. This letter is about fixing a fundamental flaw at the NMB in regard to resolving disputes promptly, as intended under the RLA.

In Solidarity,

Allie Malis
Lori Vitto-Glattly
APFA Government Affairs Representatives
[email protected]