Alaska Airlines Flight attendants rejected a brand new collective agreement that may have brought immediate pay increases averaging greater than 24%, their union said on Wednesday. This means each side are ready for further talks as a merger with Hawaiian Airlines looms.
The union and the corporate had agreed on a provisional “record agreement” in June, which, along with a mean salary increase of around 32 percent over the duration of the three-year contract, also provided for on-board compensation and back payments, in keeping with the Association of Flight Attendants (CWA).
“There is still a lot of work to be done,” the union said, adding that it will conduct a member survey to “identify the most important issues and then bring them back to the bargaining table to discuss them.”
In an announcement, the airline said: “We remain committed to reaching an agreement that reflects the critical role of our flight attendants and is good for Alaska's long-term success.”
After Covid-19 put most collective bargaining on hold, airline staff across the industry pushed for pay increases and higher working conditions. Salaries and fuel are the largest costs for airlines, and negotiations at some airlines had already been contentious before latest contracts were approved.
While pilots at major airlines have signed collective bargaining agreements over the past two years, employees at other airlines proceed to demand higher pay.
American Airlines reached an agreement with the flight attendants' union last month and members are currently voting on ratification. United Airlines remains to be negotiating a brand new contract with the flight attendants' union.
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