Alaska Airlines and its 7,000-member flight attendants union have reached a tentative labor agreement after more than a year and a half of negotiations. Although the specific terms have not been disclosed, the union described it as a “record contract,” hinting at substantial pay raises.
In April, the union indicated it was seeking pay increases ranging from 43% to 56% through 2026, depending on seniority. These increases would also include retroactive pay for the period they have been working under the previous contract.
The union credited the flight attendants’ actions over the past two years for giving them the leverage needed to secure a favorable deal. Alaska Airlines expressed satisfaction with the agreement, highlighting that it supports quality of life and career growth for its employees. The deal still requires approval from union leadership and members before it becomes effective.
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In February, 99.5% of Alaska Airlines’ rank-and-file members voted to authorize a strike. However, due to the Railway Labor Act, which governs airline workers, they were unable to strike despite their contract’s scheduled end in December 2022. As a result, union members continued working under the previous contract’s terms and pay. Unlike most private sector employees, airline workers face these restrictions on striking.
In a show of solidarity, flight attendants from Alaska Airlines, along with those from American, United, and Southwest, held coordinated pickets in February to demand new contracts. Following this, Southwest’s flight attendants reached a deal that included an immediate 22.3% pay raise as of May 1 and $364 million in retroactive wages.
However, flight attendants at American and United are still negotiating for new contracts. American’s flight attendants have requested to be released from strike restrictions, but even if approved, the Railway Labor Act mandates several months of cooling-off periods before any strike action could occur.
Steve Maller, a flight attendant with nearly 20 years of experience, participated in the picket lines in February. Maller was on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, which made headlines on January 5 when a door plug blew off, creating a hole in the plane. Despite being commended by Alaska Airlines’ top management for their handling of the situation, Maller joined the pickets because he felt the existing contract didn’t provide a livable wage for many flight attendants.
Maller mentioned to CNN in February that he, like many of his colleagues, has had to take on additional jobs, such as bartending, to make ends meet. He expressed concern that the airline is losing many veteran flight attendants who have endured years without significant wage increases.
“It was unheard of five years ago for flight attendants to quit their jobs,” he said. “Now we have 20, 25, 30 a month quitting.”