Talks between American Airlines and the union representing its flight attendants have ended without a deal—and the union says it is making preparations for a strike.
The carrier and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) have been in mediated talks for almost a year. The lack of a deal could impact up to 28,000 flight attendants.
“After years of bargaining, including almost a year of mediated talks with the assistance of the National Mediation Board, and despite the union’s best efforts, American Airlines did not come to the table with an agreement that adequately compensates American’s 28,000 flight attendants,” said APFA national president Julie Hedrick in a statement. “Flight attendants will move the process forward to secure overdue economic improvements.”
While the union is threatening a strike and already picketing at some airports, flight attendants will not be permitted to walk off the job until the National Mediation Board gives them permission to do so. It will do so only if it feels the parties are at an impasse and further negotiating sessions would make no sense.
Even if it releases the union from mediation, there’s a 30-day cooling off period. If no deal is struck in that time, the union could strike. At present there’s no indication the board is preparing to release the parties from mediation.
American has offered its flight attendants an immediate wage increase of 17%, but the union has rejected that offer.
Negotiations between the two parties got underway in January 2020, then resumed in June 2021 after they were paused during the pandemic.
American Airlines, in a statement, said it expects a deal to be reached. “This agreement is within reach, and we look forward to additional dates being scheduled,” the carrier said.