American Reaches Tentative Agreement with Passenger Service Agents

Over the past two years, airline labor groups have seen several new contracts boosting pay rates and benefits across working groups. Most notably, regional carriers across the United States increased pilot pay significantly, with the three major carriers following suit quickly after the increase.

Amidst the significant changes for pilot groups, working groups such as aircraft mechanics, passenger service agents and flight attendants have been working towards new contracts with their respective companies. On December 6, American Airlines reached a tentative deal with passenger service agents such as reservations personnel, ticketing staff, gate agents and other frontline airport employees for a new contract. 

The Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier employs over 15,000, union-represented passenger service representatives. Represented by Communication Workers of America (CWA-IBT), the negotiations have been in progress since October 2022. The full tentative agreement has not been released but is slated to be soon, according to the union’s website. The next step is for the union members to review the agreement and vote in favor or not in favor of the tentative agreement. 

According to a statement published by The Dallas Morning News, the carrier is “pleased to have reached a tentative agreement with the CWA-IBT and appreciate the union’s commitment to negotiating a contract our team has earned,” as stated by Lindsey Martin, spokeswoman for American Airlines. 

Flight Attendants

American has now reached agreements with unions representing the carrier’s mechanics, pilots and now passenger service agents. The carrier’s flight attendant group is still in negotiations with the Fort Worth-based carrier for a new contract. 

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) is the union representing American Airlines flight attendants. This past August, the union held a vote to strike with the workgroup, passing with a 99.47% yes vote, according to the union’s website. The over 26,000-strong work group had the request for a cooling-down period denied by the National Mediation Board last month.

A meditation session is scheduled with the company for next week to continue negotiations. According to the union, a counter-proposal was submitted to the company in September of this year, but the carrier has yet to respond. 

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Zach Cooke

Zach’s love for aviation began when he was in elementary school with a flight sim and model planes. This passion for being in the air only intensified throughout high school when he earned his Private Pilot Certificate. He then attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, earning his certificates and ratings to later flight instruct and share his passion for aviation with others. He now resides in the North East living out his dream as an airline pilot.

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