Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants Voted to Authorize a Strike, Continuing Mediator Negotiations Described as "Productive"

By Moon Harper

Feb 15, 2024 12:18 AM EST

Alaska Airlines flight attendants voted to authorize a strike for the first time in over thirty years following a frightening midair door blowout incident that caused part of the airline's fleet to be temporarily grounded.

Thousands of Alaska Airlines flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, voted overwhelmingly to strike on Tuesday, following a year of unsuccessful negotiations to reach a deal.

Flight attendants and cabin crews from 24 other airlines protested at U.S., U.K., and Guam airports, aiming to reach new contracts with substantial pay raises.

Flight Attendants' Vote in Favor of a Strike

93.47% of Alaska Air flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA), voted on Tuesday, with 99.48% voting in favor of authorizing a strike, which is a typical part of negotiations between a union and the company its members work at and do not guarantee an immediate or eventual strike.

Alaska Air flight attendants are negotiating a new contract, joining cabin crews from around two dozen other airlines, such as Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and American Airlines.

Alignment with the Need for a New Contract

In a statement to FOX Business, Alaska Airlines aligned with their flight attendants on the need for a new contract, highlighting their efforts to secure an agreement by offering competitive pay, including a 15% raise across the board and annual increases. The airline has finalized over 50 tentative agreements covering numerous topics where common ground has been reached.

Alaska Airlines conveyed optimism, mentioning that with six recent labor agreements and a tentative deal reached in January for technicians' new contract, they aspire to achieve a similar outcome for their flight attendants as soon as possible.

"Productive" Negotiations with a Mediator

The company mentioned that its leadership had met twice in the last three weeks, continuing negotiations with a mediator, described as "productive," and reported reaching four tentative agreements. Alaska emphasized in its statement that the vote results do not signal an imminent strike by its flight attendants, assuring guests and operations will not face immediate or possibly any impact.

Flight attendants are not likely to go on strike due to the complicated labor process in the airline industry that makes it challenging for workers to strike.

The First Strike Authorization in 1993 Calling for Increased Pay

The first strike authorization vote in Alaska since 1993 indicates widespread calls from labor unions for increased pay, according to the Association of Flight Attendants, which comes as most cabin crews in the U.S. are engaged in contract negotiations.

Pilots at major airlines have recently negotiated new labor agreements, receiving significant pay raises and other benefit increases. However, the AFA pointed out that some flight attendants have not seen a pay increase in five years.

Alaska's stock dropped more than 2% during Tuesday's trading session. It declined an additional 0.5% after-hours trading as the broader market experienced a sell-off due to a hotter-than-expected inflation report.