President Sara Nelson Reacts To Bonuses Offered By American And Southwest Airlines

Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO, representing 50,000 Flight Attendants at 20 airlines, released a statement after the announcement of a one-time bonus at American Airlines and Southwest Airlines following passage of the new tax law.

"The new tax bill, which provides permanent corporate tax cuts while only temporarily reducing individual tax obligations, relies on corporate investment in employees to create a benefit for the American people. The White House and GOP leaders have said the tax plan will unleash 'growth of jobs and paychecks' in the U.S.," Nelson (pictured) said in the statement.

"Some corporations have started to respond following adoption of the new tax law and it seems the 'going rate' for investment in employees is a one-time bonus of $1,000. We are glad members of our union who fly with the American Airlines brand will receive the bonus announced just last night. Southwest Airlines employees will also receive the one-time bonus. We always support airlines sharing profits with the Flight Attendants and other employees who make the airline fly.

"If the airline is benefiting from the new tax law, workers should share in that gain. Employees have a voice and legal representation at most airlines. Management should engage union leaders in a discussion about the specific impact on the airline following the new corporate tax rate and how to invest in employees in a meaningful way. Any long-term gain for the airline should result in negotiations for improvements for the workers. These improvements should be ongoing, long-term contractual improvements just like the corporate tax cuts. That's how workers know the promise of good jobs and wages will be fulfilled.

"We encourage all AFA-member airlines to engage AFA leadership in a discussion about the impact of this tax bill and the plans for investing in the people who make our airlines fly."

(Source: AFA news release. Image from file)

FMI: www.afacwa.org