Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants file for mediation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), today filed for mediation with the National Mediation Board (NMB). Today is the one-year anniversary of the contract’s amendable date.

“For the last three contracts, Flight Attendants responded to management’s plea to keep costs low while the airline created a winning strategy,” said Jeffrey Peterson, AFA president at Alaska Airlines. “We partnered with them in good faith. As a result, we have fallen far behind our airline peers in compensation in most pay steps and pay rules.”

“Now, in part due to the Flight Attendants’ hard work, sacrifice and dedication, Alaska Airlines is hugely profitable and positioned to successfully navigate the future. It is time for the over 3,100 Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants to participate in that success and be adequately compensated. Management must sit down with us and negotiate a contract that reflects the award-winning Flight Attendants of this airline,” added Peterson.

Negotiations started in November 2011, and have been on-going for the past 18 months. Talks stalled over compensation as the parties were exchanging comprehensive proposals. “Management’s failure to effectively address past employee sacrifices and essential compensation items that are at the heart of our contract demands became roadblocks to progress,” stated Peterson.

“Our Flight Attendants want a contract. Their contributions to the success of this airline cannot be ignored,” said Peterson.

Under the NMB guidelines, either party may request mediation.