Summary

  • APFA opens strike command center to support flight attendants in potential strike action.
  • Potential CHAOS method could be implemented to cause havoc in American Airlines operations.
  • Flight attendants asking to be released from mediation for 30-day cooling-off period.

American Airlines flight attendants have moved a step closer to strike action today, as the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) announced it had opened its ‘strike command center.’

Strike command center is open

Today, APFA, representing some 27,000+ American Airlines flight attendants, announced it had opened its strike command center. The center is at APFA headquarters, and is the first step towards supporting flight attendants to strike.

According to the union, the communications center is staffed with trained advocates who will:

  • Staff a hotline to answer questions from flight attendants
  • Produce written and video materials and other support resources
  • Produce a ‘strike handbook’ which will be mailed to flight attendant’s homes
  • Communicate with flight attendants to ensure they are ready to take action
american airlines staff-1

Photo: American Airlines

APFA has also ensured there is a trained representative at every American Airlines crew base to answer questions and explain the process.

If a strike does go ahead, the word is that APFA is considering the CHAOS method – Cause Havoc Around Our System.

Rather than a mass walkout from the job, this would see specific crew called away from flight duty last minute, causing frustration for passengers and making it impossible for American Airlines to mitigate the effects.

Related

99.47% Of American Airlines’ Flight Attendants Vote To Strike

Cabin crew don’t seem to be backing down.

Close to entering the 30-day cooling-off period

At present, American Airlines flight attendants cannot strike because the Railway Labor Act (RLA) maintains that they must be released by the National Mediation Board into a 30-day cooling-off period. The union has been asking for this but has so far been unsuccessful.

In Congress, 178 members signed a letter urging the National Mediation Board to release the flight attendants from mediation in mid-May. Flight attendants had asked the National Mediation Board for release last year, but this was denied in November. They requested release again this January, but are currently still under the NMB.

american airlines flight attendants picketing

Photo: APFA

The NMB indicated in late May that if an agreement was not reached by early June, it would release the flight attendants into the cooling-off period. These 30 days will preclude any strike action.

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A Look At How Airline Labor Negotiations Are Carried Out

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What’s the problem at American Airlines?

According to APFA, new hire attendants at American Airlines start on a salary of $27,000 per year. The union compares that to the package currently received by CEO Robert Isom, which it values at $31.4 million.

Last month, it emerged that American Airlines is giving its first- and second-year flight attendants ‘poverty letters’ due to their low annual salaries, making them eligible for public assistance programs like food stamps.

American Airlines flight attendants picketing

Photo: APFA

Speaking at today’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders, CEO Robert Isom was asked about negotiations with flight attendants. He responded simply,

“We’re committed to paying all of our team members well and competitively. Our last remaining open agreement is with our flight attendants, and our plans assume we reach a deal in 2024.”

“We remain in active negotiations with our flight attendants, and we’re working to get a deal as quickly as possible.”

While the airline is clearly keen to reach a resolution, Julie Hedrick, National President of APFA and a career Flight Attendant, was clear they won’t settle for less than they deserve.

“It is way past time for management to acknowledge our contributions to the airline, address the new industry standard, and compensate us fairly. We are neither backing down nor settling for less than we’ve earned.”

Should the strike go ahead, it will be a blot on the horizon of what was expected to be a transformative summer for American Airlines.

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