Right now, we’re seeing flight attendants at most major US airlines trying to ratify new contracts (except at Delta, where the flight attendants are not unionized). Flight attendants for the most part haven’t had a raise since before the pandemic and are asking for a significant raise to reflect the inflation we’ve seen in recent years.
In April, Southwest flight attendants became the first to ratify a new contract, and it’s possibly the richest flight attendant contract we’ve ever seen, in terms of pay raises, retroactive pay and more.
Now there’s a positive update for another US airline, as Alaska flight attendants now have a tentative agreement on a new contract, which should help labor relations at Seattle-based oneworld.
Alaska flight attendants reach tentative new deal
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, which represents Alaska’s flight attendants, has just announced that it has reached a tentative agreement with Alaska management on a “record contract.”
The union describes this tentative agreement as having been reached with the help of the National Mediation Board (NMB). Over the past week, negotiations took place in Washington, with AFA International President Sara Nelson and AFA General Counsel in attendance, along with Alaska Chief Operating Officer Constance von Muehlen.
The exact details of the contract have not yet been made public. The union states that in the coming days, both sides will “work to clean up the language of the contract to present the full text of the TA to the Master Executive Council.” The Chief Executive Council will then vote to release the agreement for a full membership ratification vote.
In February 2024, Alaska flight attendants voted to authorize a strike, with 99.48% of participants voting in favor of a strike (and 93.47% of flight attendants participating in the vote). So it’s good to see that there is finally some common ground between management and the union.
However, I would not assume that it is a foregone conclusion that the membership will necessarily ratify the new contract. For example, Southwest flight attendants rejected the first tentative agreement presented by the union during their negotiations and only ratified the second agreement, after additional improvements.
I’m curious how profitable this contract is
It is interesting how the union is referring to the tentative agreement as a “record contract”. Does this suggest that this is the most lucrative contract that has been negotiated in the entire industry to date, or just a record for the airline (which seems like it would be a given)?
The reason I ask is because historically Alaska hasn’t exactly had the best pay in the industry. The airline has paid much better than ultra-low-cost carriers, but not consistently on par with carriers like Southwest.
Southwest flight attendants have ratified a new contract where they receive an immediate 22% pay increase and 3% pay increases in each of 2025, 2026 and 2027. In addition, they received retro pay, which amounts to about $18,000 for stewardess. Does this mean Alaskan flight attendants are getting contracts that are even more lucrative?
With a second carrier now close to a new contract, it should also help American flight attendants get a new contract, as American has had the most hostile negotiations for a new contract.
end
The union representing Alaska flight attendants has announced that a tentative agreement has been reached on a new “record contract.” Details are expected to be released in the coming days, so it will be interesting to see the details.
It’s great news that flight attendants at a second US airline are nearing a new contract, as that should help in this negotiation cycle, providing stability for passengers (although perhaps a little less stability on the bottom line airlines).
What do you think about the Alaska flight attendants reaching a tentative agreement on a new contract?