An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900ER aircraft is parked on the tarmac at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) in Seattle, Washington, USA, Monday, January 22, 2024.
David Ryder | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Alaska Airlines The flight attendants union said on Wednesday it had rejected a new labor deal that would have provided an immediate average wage increase of more than 24%, as the two sides entered into more negotiations over a merger. Hawaiian Airlines loom.
The union and the company reached a temporary “record” deal in June that included boarding fees and back pay, in addition to an average wage increase of about 32% over the three-year deal, according to the aviation association. .
The union said there was “more work to do”, adding that it would survey members to “identify key issues and then return to the bargaining table to address them”.
“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,” the airline said in a statement.
Airlines employees across the industry are urging their employers to increase pay and improve working conditions after Covid-19 halted most labor negotiations. Wages and fuel are airlines’ biggest costs, and negotiations with some airlines have turned contentious ahead of new contracts being approved.
Pilots at major airlines have reached deals over the past two years, while workers at other airlines continue to seek higher pay.
American Airlines An agreement was reached with its flight attendants union last month and members are voting on whether to ratify it. United Airlines It is still negotiating a new contract with its flight attendants union.
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