American Airlines flight attendants demonstrate in front of the White House, May 9, 2024 (AFP/Drew ANGERER)
Several dozen American Airlines flight attendants demonstrated Thursday in front of the White House, as part of a broad mobilization to demand respect for their right to strike and better wages.
“Flight attendants are asking for help from elected officials across the United States as well as the White House to restore their right to strike,” explained the Association of Professional Hostesses and Stewards (APFA), which represents more than 27,000 employees in this category at American Airlines, in a press release.
They are “the only American Airlines employees who have not had a raise in five years,” noted the union, affirming that boss Robert Isom had received more than $31 million in 2023.
American Airlines assured in a statement sent to AFP that reaching an agreement “remains (its) priority”.
“We continue to meet regularly with the APFA and we have recently revised our offer upwards to include an immediate increase of 25%,” added the company, saying it was “ready to reach an agreement quickly”.
According to her, management will be “back at the negotiating table next week to do it.”
The union and the airline have been holding discussions for six months as part of mediation to develop the new collective agreement, which should take over from that in force since 2014.
At the end of August, union members approved by 99.47% – with 93% participation – the principle of a strike. The union had set a deadline of November 13 to reach an agreement, failing which it would call a strike.
But as negotiations take place under the aegis of the National Mediation Committee (NMB), the union must obtain its prior authorization. A work stoppage can then only take place thirty days after this green light.
Demonstration by American Airlines flight attendants at Miami airport (Florida) on May 9, 2024 (AFP/GIORGIO VIERA)
The APFA submitted its request on November 20 but has still not obtained satisfaction, hence the mobilizations on Thursday in front of the White House and the company’s headquarters in Dallas (Texas) as well as in around ten airports (Boston , Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York JFK, Philadelphia…).
They “claim their right to strike, an important step in reaching a new collective agreement” with the company, he continued, launching an appeal to Joe Biden, who describes himself as “the most union-friendly president” .
The APFA had already organized a mobilization on November 14. These movements do not generally disrupt the carrier’s activities.
© 2024 AFP
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