DALLAS — In a surprising turn of events, Alaska Airlines (AS) Flight Attendants (FA) have voted against a new labor contract that would have provided substantial immediate pay increases.

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, representing the workers, announced the rejection on Wednesday, signaling a need for further negotiations as Alaska Airlines prepares for its merger with Hawaiian Airlines.

The proposed agreement, reached in June, was described as "record-breaking" by the union. It offered an average pay raise of 24% upfront, with total increases reaching approximately 32% over the three-year contract period. Additional benefits included compensation for boarding time and retroactive pay adjustments.

Despite these offerings, the airline's FAs deemed the deal insufficient. The union intends to survey members to identify critical concerns before returning to the negotiating table.

U.S. Carrier's FA Labor Negotiations

This development occurs against industry-wide labor negotiations, suspended mainly during the COVID-19 pandemic. As air travel surpasses 2019 levels, airline workers across various carriers have been advocating for improved wages and working conditions.

While pilots at major airlines have secured new contracts over the past two years, negotiations for other employee groups, including flight attendants, continue.

The situation at AS mirrors ongoing labor discussions at other carriers. American Airlines (AA) recently reached a tentative agreement with its FAs, which is currently pending ratification, while United Airlines (UA) continues to negotiate with its flight attendant union.

For now, AS has reaffirmed its commitment to reaching a mutually beneficial agreement that recognizes the vital role of its FAs while supporting the company's long-term success.