American Airlines flight attendants prepare for strike

(Reuters) – A union representing American Airlines Group flight attendants said on Thursday it was preparing to strike after wage negotiations with the airline this week failed to produce an agreement.

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), which represents approximately 28,000 American Airlines flight attendants, said the airline had not reached an agreement favorable to workers even after a year of mediation talks with the National Mediation Board.

The flight attendants say they have not received a pay raise in more than five years and have endured a lot since the pandemic.

American Airlines told Reuters in an emailed statement that it would continue to negotiate with flight attendants to ensure they benefit from the contract.

“This agreement is within reach and we look forward to planning further dates,” said the airline spokesman.

The current round of negotiations began in January 2020 but was interrupted at the height of the pandemic. Talks resumed in June 2021.

Earlier this month, the airline offered its flight attendants an immediate 17 percent pay increase in their new contract, but the offer was later unanimously rejected by the APFA.

(Reporting by Harshita Meenaktshi in Bengaluru; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)