The union representing American Airlines flight attendants has once again asked to be released from further bargaining obligations with American.
"American management adheres to an economic framework that ignores the sacrifices made by 27,000 flight attendants," Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) president Julie Hedrick said Friday. "The absence of any economic proposal from management since September 2023 has fueled the determination of flight attendants to initiate a strike at the world's largest airline."
APFA previously requested that the National Mediation Board (NMB) release it from further bargaining obligations in November, but the board said no. Should the NMB grant the request this time, APFA would be allowed to strike after a 30-day cooling-down period, per regulations set forth in the Railway Labor Act, which governs labor relations in the airline industry.
APFA's contract with American became amendable in 2019 and its members haven't received a raise since January of that year.
APFA is calling for wage increases of 50% over a four-year contract. American has offered a 19% increase over five years, according to an APFA summary. The union is also asking for a variety of other contract improvements, including an increase from 75 to 80 in the number of paid hours its members are guaranteed monthly.
When APFA made its release request to the NMB in November, American said that it had had an industry-leading contract proposal on the table for months.
In a statement Friday, American said, "We strongly disagree that a release from federal mediation is warranted at this time as American continues to negotiate with APFA in good faith. Our focus remains unchanged: Reaching an agreement quickly -- one that ensures our flight attendants are paid as well as the best paid flight attendants in the industry.
"Our industry-leading economic proposal, which includes pay increases, boarding pay and a number of other meaningful improvements, remains on the table. We stand ready to continue working with APFA and with the support of the National Mediation Board to reach an agreement that our flight attendants have earned."