Alaska Airlines and its crew, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), have been in ongoing contract negotiations. While there have been some recent positive developments, tensions remain high.
By Aditya M
Flight Attendant Concerns
- Pay: Attendants are seeking industry-standard wages and an end to unpaid work periods during boarding, grounding, and delays [Alaska Airlines flight attendant says she has colleagues going without food right now].
- Working Conditions: Flight attendants have reported financial strain and long hours due to unpaid work periods.
Negotiation Status
- The AFA requested a 30-day cooling period from the National Mediation Board in February, indicating a possible stalemate [Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants Are Inching Closer to Release From Mediation].
- There have been recent bargaining sessions with a mediator, with some tentative agreements reached [Progress continues as Alaska Airlines negotiates a new, market-competitive flight attendant contract].
Possible Outcomes
- Agreement: Negotiations could reach a successful conclusion with a new contract that addresses attendant concerns.
- Strike: If an agreement isn't reached within the cooling-off period, a strike by the AFA is a possibility. The last Alaska Airlines flight attendant strike occurred in 1993 [A Look At How Airline Labor Negotiations Are Carried Out].
Impact on Passengers
- While informational picketing has occurred, there haven't been disruptions to flights so far [Progress continues as Alaska Airlines negotiates a new, market-competitive flight attendant contract].
- A potential strike could lead to cancellations and delays.
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