It takes a lot for aviation members to go on strike.
American Airlines flight attendants have taken the first step. American’s
flight attendants have officially asked federal
officials for the right to go on strike.
They are threatening to walk out between Christmas and New
Year’s. Union officials say that contracts have long been stalled and flight
attendants have not received a raise since 2019. The threat of a holiday strike
would coincide with the end of a 30-day cooling-off period.
The Association of Professional Flight Attendants requested
the National Mediation Board on Monday. The odds are low, however, that
permission to strike would be granted at the holidays.
With Southwest Airlines pilots also threatening to strike at
around the same time, it is unlikely that permission will be granted for two
strikes around the holidays. The strikes by two of the four top carriers in the
country would be devastating, obviously.
But the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association is nonetheless
moving forward and has opened up a strike center in Dallas. They have set a
target date of December 29.
Federal law makes it challenging on both sides, however.
Aviation workers can’t just walk off the job capriciously, nor can the airlines
lock out their employees. That makes strikes in the industry difficult.
Congress and a sitting United States President can override a strike if it
threatens the economy. It has been almost 13 years since the last strike by a
major U.S. airline.
American said in a statement that it has offered the flight
attendants an “industry-leading economic proposal." American added that
there is “no possibility” of a strike over Thanksgiving or the December
holidays.
“We definitely don't feel any equality here,” said Erik
Harris, treasurer of the flight attendants' union. “How come the pilots have
gotten their deal and we haven't?”
American Airlines recently cut a deal with its pilots for a
new contract.
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