Alaska Airlines flight attendants have reached a tentative agreement with the airline that could prevent a strike or work slowdown. The proposed contract includes a 32% pay increase and specifies that flight attendants will be compensated for the boarding period before the plane takes off, addressing the current situation where wages begin only when the airplane door is closed.
The three-year contract still needs approval from the Association of Flight Attendants’ Alaska members, who authorized a strike in February. These negotiations have lasted 20 months. Before the vote, the association plans a “road show” to explain the changes to the members.
“After an intense week of negotiating at the National Mediation Board and the clear deadline we set for the company, we have a Tentative Agreement (TA) for a record contract,” stated the Association of Flight Attendants last week.
Currently, Sitka based Alaska Airlines flight attendants earn between $42,000 and $74,000 annually, with an average salary of $56,000.