American Airlines may be facing its first strike in 15 years as flight attendants have rejected a 17% pay increase offered to them. The flight attendants’ labor union believes that the proposed raise is insufficient to keep up with inflation, especially since there has been no pay raise since before the pandemic.
Negotiations between American Airlines and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) have been ongoing, but the attendants are dissatisfied with the current offer. Some flight attendants have stated that the pay increase is not enough to lift them above food stamp eligibility, especially those based in Boston and Miami. Despite the CEO’s assurance that the raise would go into effect immediately without any expectations from the union, the offer was rejected by the APFA as they deemed it to be a mere public relations gesture.
Flight attendants are also expressing disappointment over their low wages and inadequate food allowance, particularly on international flights where they receive only $2.50 an hour for food, which is below industry standards and does not cover the actual cost of food.
