Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants Reject Labor Deal Offering 24% Raises, Union Calls for Further Negotiations Amid Looming Hawaiian Airlines Merger

Alaska Airlines flight attendants have turned down a proposed labor contract that included immediate raises averaging over 24%, their union announced Wednesday. This decision sets the stage for more negotiations as a merger with Hawaiian Airlines approaches.

The tentative “record” agreement, reached in June, promised boarding pay, back pay, and average pay increases of around 32% over three years, according to the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. Despite these offers, the union emphasized that “more work is needed” and plans to survey its members to identify key issues before returning to the negotiating table.

Alaska Airlines responded with a statement affirming their commitment to reaching an agreement that recognizes the vital role of flight attendants and supports the airline’s long-term success.

The airline industry has seen a surge in labor demands for better pay and working conditions post-Covid-19, as employees push for compensation increases that were delayed during the pandemic. While pilots at major carriers have successfully secured new contracts in recent years, other airline workers, including flight attendants, continue to negotiate for better terms.

American Airlines reached a tentative deal with its flight attendants union last month, currently awaiting ratification, while United Airlines is still in contract negotiations with its flight attendants’ union.

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