PSA Flight Attendants Set to Vote on Strike Amid Contract Dispute

PSA Airlines Flight Attendants to Vote on Strike Authorization

WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 9, 2024) – Flight Attendants at PSA Airlines, a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Airlines, are gearing up for a strike authorization vote following contentious contract negotiations. Represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), the attendants are pushing back against management’s proposals, which they find inadequate given the rising cost of living.

“Life at PSA is unsustainable for Flight Attendants without significant improvements,” stated Lee Wilkes, president of the PSA chapter of AFA-CWA, which represents more than 1,300 Flight Attendants. “The cost of living has skyrocketed while our pay remains delayed. We can’t afford to wait any longer. We’re ready to show PSA and American management that we will do whatever it takes to get our contract.”

PSA Flight Attendants requested federal mediation in January, but it took seven months for management to present an economic proposal. The offer, however, included base wage increases that were deemed insufficient, failing to match the cost of living and the pay rates at mainline carriers.

Ballots for the strike authorization vote will be distributed to over 1,300 Flight Attendants. Voting will commence on August 21, 2024, and conclude on September 17, 2024. Previous strike authorization votes have successfully advanced negotiations at mainline American and other airlines.

“Flight Attendants at PSA and other regional airlines across the industry are fighting to end tiers in aviation,” said Sara Nelson, international president of AFA-CWA, which represents 55,000 Flight Attendants at 20 airlines. “PSA Flight Attendants wear the same uniforms, fly the same routes, and perform the same service as mainline Flight Attendants. But airlines leave them behind in compensation and benefits.”

The AFA has a unique strike strategy called CHAOS™ (Create Havoc Around Our System™), which allows for a flexible approach to striking. The union can decide when, where, and how to strike without prior notice to management or passengers. This right to strike is activated when the National Mediation Board (NMB) declares negotiations deadlocked, followed by a 30-day "cooling off" period that leads to a strike deadline.

PSA Flight Attendants are seeking double-digit base pay increases, better pay for time worked, sick leave, work rule improvements, and additional benefits.

PSA Airlines operates 500 daily flights to nearly 100 destinations as a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Airlines Group.

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The Association of Flight Attendants is the Flight Attendant union. Focused 100 percent on Flight Attendant issues, AFA has been the leader in advancing the Flight Attendant profession for over 78 years. Serving as the voice for Flight Attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media, and on Capitol Hill, AFA has transformed the Flight Attendant profession by raising wages, benefits, and working conditions. 55,000 Flight Attendants come together to form AFA, part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afacwa.org.

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