Flight attendants for American Airlines picketed outside Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and 12 others across the country Thursday. They want the National Mediation Board to release them from negotiations, which could lead to a strike after a "cooling off" period.
"Our primary role is as a safety professional to get you from A to B as safely and, hopefully, on time as possible," said Alin Boswell with the Association of Professional Flight Attendants. "But with the minimum staffing they have created, weather events that we're likely to have in Dallas today or sick calls put the operation in jeopardy."
APFA also picketed outside American Airlines' headquarters in Fort Worth and outside the White House.
"We're out here again letting the public know we are fighting for our fair share of corporate profits," Boswell said. "Management has given themselves millions and millions of dollars in pay raises, and we haven't had a pay raise in five years. We're unable to keep pace with inflation."
Boswell said new hires are now making $27,000.
Last month, flight attendants at Dallas-based Southwest Airlines approved a four-year contract. Boswell said a poor contract from American could lead to the airline falling behind competitors to attract talent.
American Airlines said an agreement with its 27,000 flight attendants "remains a priority." The airline said it has increased its offer since the last bargaining session, so the National Mediation Board should not release the union.
"We continue to meet regularly with the APFA and recently increased our current offer to include an immediate 25% increase to flight attendant pay, which includes the addition of boarding pay. We’re ready to get a deal done quickly and are back at the negotiating table next week to do that," the airline wrote in a statement.
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