Summary

  • On June 13, flight attendants picketed globally to advocate for fair wages and better working conditions.
  • AFA leads the charge demanding change and has gained momentum and support in their cause.
  • Negotiations between airlines and flight attendants are intensifying, with potential for strikes looming.

On June 13, the United States flight attendant unions led pickets in a “Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action” at 30 locations across three continents: North America, Europe, and Asia.

The off-duty flight attendant pickets included Seattle-Tacoma Airport, where representatives of various airlines worked to draw attention to their cause. In particular, a large showing from Alaska Airlines flight attendants underscored the ticking clock on a release from mediation—a necessary precursor to strike.

AFA day of action alaska airlines flight attendant pickets at seattle tacoma June 2024

Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying

Alaska Airlines flight attendants make up some of the 80,000 whose airlines are currently in wage negotiations. The action was led by the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), representing around 20 airlines, 15 of which are in contract negotiations.

The second Day of Action

This widespread picketing is the second time this year AFA has taken to the streets to bring attention to their cause. In February, hundreds of crew members took a stand outside airports all across the US and in London soon after Alaska Airlines AFA members voted to support a strike.

Sara Nelson, International President, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA noted the impact that the first day of action has already had.

“There is definitely pressure being put upon the airlines. That’s coming from flight attendants standing together, understanding each other’s issues, and taking on this industry together, which is historic – that just hasn’t happened before.”

AFA day of action alaska airlines flight attendant pickets at seattle tacoma June 2024

Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying

She noted that, more broadly, flight attendants feel like their voices are starting to be heard. Last month, 178 members of Congress signed a ‘right-to-strike’ letter, urging the National Mediation Board (NMB) to resolve contract negotiations.

“That’s put a lot of heat on the airlines that otherwise they wouldn’t be feeling right now.“ – Sara Nelson, International President, Association of Flight Attendants

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Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant Pay Is So Bad, 1 In 10 Live Out Of Their Car

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Can Alaska Airlines expect a Summer of CHAOS?

With 99% of Alaska Airlines flight attendants voting to strike, the stage is set for an escalation. But to move forward, the AFA needs to be released from mediation by the NMB, which hasn’t happened yet. Before yesterday’s pickets, AFA stated,

“We’re ready to push forward over the next two weeks during our negotiations sessions to reach a tentative agreement that Alaska Flight Attendants can ratify. And if management won’t make the deal, we’re preparing for next steps under the Railway Labor Act.“

That sentiment was reinforced by AFA President Jeffery Peterson at the June 13 picket. At the Seattle gathering, he proclaimed to the crowd,

“If an agreement is not reached in the next week, we are prepared to do whatever it takes. We are tired of waiting. We will not wait any longer.”

The next step would be to approach the NMB for release. If a release is granted, there is then a 30-day cooling off period, during which time more intensive negotiations will take place in hope of preventing ‘self-help’ measures.

Related

A Look At How Airline Labor Negotiations Are Carried Out

A basic blueprint for how US airline labor negotiations are conducted, complete with some history lessons.

AFA has been clear that if a strike does happen, it won’t be a mass walkout on one day. Instead, the group is considering the CHAOS method, where random employees do not turn up for work at different locations all across the network. This type of action is much harder to mitigate from an airline’s point of view.

Progress is being made

All parties are keen to work towards a resolution rather than upset summer holiday plans for hardworking people. Peterson shared with Simple Flying that AFA Alaska feels that;

“We are making progress. I think there’s still a lot more work to be done, and we’re gonna push hard over the next couple of weeks to roll up our sleeves and get it done.”

AFA day of action alaska airlines flight attendant pickets at seattle tacoma June 2024

Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying

The last time Alaska Airlines got to experience a CHAOS Strike was in 1993. That finally ended after picketing on flights, random flight attendant walk-outs delaying flights for hours and various other disruptions.

Related

What Was The Alaska Airlines CHAOS Strike In 1993?

Newspaper accounts weave a history from the time.

For the airline, it’s working hard to reach a resolution before any further escalation is necessary. In a statement issued on its website yesterday, Alaska Airlines noted,

“We agree with our flight attendants that we need a new contact, which is why we’ve been working hard to get an agreement.

“We recently passed a comprehensive economic proposal that included boarding pay, wage, per diem and set future wage increases, industry-standard Ratio-in-Guarantee, and a two-year duration.”

Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900ER Rising From SEA

Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying

The airline further says it has closed more than 50 tentative agreements covering dozens of topics on which it and the union have found common ground. The airline continues to meet regularly with AFA and says it remains optimistic about the negotiation process.

Speaking to several AFA Alaska members at the picket, all were optimistic that next week’s mediated talks would result in a tentative agreement for ratification.

AFA International President Sara Nelson shared a little more on those negotiations with Simple Flying:

“We’re down to a handful of issues. Bargaining can take a long time or no time at all when people really want to get the deal done.”

Do you think these negotiations will end before the National Mediation Board grants a release to strike? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

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