Strike Authorization Vote Results Pending

Upwards of 26,000 American Airlines (AAL) Flight Attendants are demanding a new contract comprising long-sought pay and quality-of-life improvements.

On 30 August 2023—the Wednesday preceding the busy Labor Day travel weekend—American Airlines Flight Attendants represented by the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) will hold a series of informational pickets at twelve AAL Flight Attendant bases across the U.S.

The planned-pickets will see the results of a strike authorization initiative recently voted upon by AAL Flight Attendants made public.

To date, the APFA’s contract negotiations with American Airlines have failed to produce a contract encompassing satisfactory improvements to pay, cabin staffing, and quality of life.

American’s extant contract with its Flight Attendants became amendable over four years ago. The APFA has since set forth proposals germane to every section of its collective bargaining agreement, albeit to no avail. Compelled by an abject and protracted absence of progress, the union, in accordance with the provisions of the Railway Labor Act, invoked the services of the National Mediation Board—also, to no avail.

Ergo, the APFA Board of Directors approved a strike authorization vote to which American’s 26,000-plus Flight Attendants commenced responding on 28 July 2023. If ratified, the measure would allow the union to call for an all-out work-stoppage.

In the event American Airlines management and the APFA cannot reach an agreement in federal mediation, the union could request a thirty-day cooling-off period, after which American Airlines Flight Attendants would be free to undertake a strike against the world’s largest air-carrier.

AFA national president Julie Hedrick stated: “Labor Day should take on a whole new meaning for American Airlines management this year. It’s long past time for significant increases in compensation and improvements to our working conditions. We are ready to bring these negotiations to a close, or we may be ready to strike.”

AAL Flight Attendants will stage informational pickets on Wednesday, 30 August 2023.

On the East Coast, pickets will span 11:00 to 13:00 at: BOS, DCA, LGA, MCO, MIA, and PHL.

In the Central Time Zone, AAL Flight Attendants will hold informational pickets from 10:00 to 12:00 at ORD and DFW.

On the West Coast, AAL Flight Attendants will stage informational pickets from 11:00 to 13:00 at LAS, LAX, and PHX.

Founded in 1977 and headquartered in Euless, Texas, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) represents more than 26,00 Flight Attendants in the employ of American Airlines.

FMI: www.apfa.org