The union representing American Airlines flight attendants said Tuesday that voting on a potential strike would take place later this month.
The vote is scheduled to occur between July 28 and August 29, with the result announced August 30.
More than 26,000 flight attendants are seeking wage increases amid new contract negotiations.
“Our contract became amendable in 2019, and American’s Flight Attendants have not received cost-of-living increases or any other quality-of-life improvements, even as they played an essential part in keeping American in the skies both during and after the pandemic,” said union president Julie Hedrick in a statement.
Negotiations between the airline and the union paused amid the Covid-19 pandemic, but resumed in 2021. The two parties applied for federal mediation in contract negotiations back in March.
In April, the union that represents American Airlines pilots voted to authorize their own strike “if necessary.”
Strike authorization votes are a fairly routine part of contract negotiations at airlines, and they don’t inevitably lead to a walk-out.
Among its demands the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) is asking for an immediate 35% increase in wages, followed by a 6% annual increase in subsequent years. It’s also calling for 82 guaranteed paid hours per month for reserve flight attendants, up from 75, and a a higher 401(k) contribution and match.
“We look forward to reaching an agreement with APFA quickly so that American’s flight attendants can benefit from a contract that provides them with real and meaningful value,” American Airlines said in a statement. “We continue to meet regularly and appreciate the National Mediation Board’s recent support as both American and APFA work to reach an agreement our flight attendants deserve.”
American Airlines is the second largest airline by capacity in the U.S., after United. American says it flies about 6,700 flights daily to more than 350 destinations around the world.
