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Alaska Flight Attendants Reject ‘Record’ Tentative Agreement

The airline's nearly 7,000 flight attendants voted against ratifying a new agreement.

An Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

Flight attendants at Alaska Airlines, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), have voted against ratifying a tentative agreement that was reached after nearly two years of negotiations. The vote, which concluded on Aug. 14, 2024, saw a participation rate of 92.4% among eligible voters, with 68% voting against the agreement and 32% in favor, the AFA said.

The tentative agreement (TA), announced in late June, was heralded as a record contract that would have provided an average pay bump of 32% over three years, alongside other benefits like compensation for boarding time, marking a first among AFA-represented flight attendant groups.

AFA President Sara Nelson touted the new agreement in an interview with Forbes, adding, “We were able to get Alaska to lead the industry, something they would never do in the past.”

The rejection comes amidst a backdrop of intense labor negotiations across the airline industry, where flight attendants have been pushing for better wages, working conditions, and benefits. Earlier in the year, Alaska’s flight attendants had overwhelmingly authorized a strike.

“This is our union democracy in action. This is our contract, and we will fight to address membership concerns as expeditiously as possible,” the union said in a press release on Thursday.

Ryan Ewing
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  • Ryan Ewing

    Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

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