American Airlines recently offered to hike flight attendants’ pay 17%—but the workers say that won’t be enough to stop the first airline strike

American Airlines flight attendants say their pay is so low, they fight for airplane meals to save money and sleep in their cars—and they’re ready to strike

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2024-06-11 22:30:03

American Airlines recently offered to hike flight attendants’ pay 17%—but the workers say that won’t be enough to stop the first airline strike in 15 years.

As the airline and its attendants negotiate, American CEO Robert Isom this week sent a video message offering a 17% wage increase, just enough to push new Boston and Miami flight attendants above food stamp eligibility.

The airline said the pay increase would take effect immediately and claimed it is not “asking anything from the union in return,” an unusual move, Isom said in the video message, which was confirmed by an American Airlines spokesperson. “But these are unusual times.”

Still, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) rejected the offer, calling it a “PR move” ahead of strike negotiations that will take place between American Airlines and the union next week.

APFA and American Airlines have been in negotiations over a new contract on and off since the previous one expired in 2019, APFA president Julie Hedrick told Fortune.