Request for Release from Mediation Begins Setting the Table for a Strike, (But Just the Napkins)

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), submitted a request to be released from mediation in their negotiations with American Airlines.

The group decided to make their intentions clear that a ratifiable, viable deal was to be presented "no later than the week of November 13th", and now that the date has come and gone they feel it's time to be released from the process. The National Mediation Board would have to approve the release, which would then put APFA into a 30-day 'cooling off' period, after which a strike could begin to cohere. Throughout the time period, the carrier can still make an offer as it pleases. In August, the union voted to authorize a strike with 99.47% in favor, with 93% participation.

"American management has not come to the bargaining table with the economic and non-economic improvements our Flight Attendants need to see," said Julie Hedrick, APFA president. “We are ready to strike to get the contract we deserve and have earned.”

"Every day negotiations drag on is money saved for American Airlines,” Hedrick noted, “and every day that goes by, the situation for Flight Attendants gets more dire. We have new-hire Flight Attendants moving to high-cost cities like Boston, New York, and Miami who cannot afford to pay their rent and buy food. American Airlines reports record profits while our full-time Flight Attendants qualify for public assistance. This has to stop now.”

The last raises came to membership in 2019, with the most recent contract update hailing from 2014. It's a tough arrangement to swallow while American Airlines execs appear to be raking in their own arrangements as the carrier racks up record profits. APFA's release makes mention of CEO Robert Isom pulling a $2.75 million bonus alone, with $8.25 million in restricted stock grants - on top of his $1.3 million salary (not to mention longer term grants, bonuses, and incentives on top of that). The pitched financial fight makes for good media, in any case. On one hand, the big league 7-figure executives insulated from dealing with the frazzled, stressed, and contentious traveling public of the post-covid era. On the other, a union that increasingly sees its membership as working-class, normal folk struggling to make end's meet.

“Across industries and occupations, we’ve seen working-class Americans standing up against corporate greed. Workers are tired of being neglected and cast aside as upper management rewards themselves with bonuses and incentives. Flight Attendants are no different and will fight back,” Hedrick said. “Time's up, American Airlines.”

FMI: www.APFA.org