Alaska Airlinesthe fifth-largest airline in the US, made headlines last year. Earlier this year, the airline experienced a very safety-related incident when a door connector became detached from the fuselage of an aircraft Boeing 737 MAX 9 in flight. Additionally, Alaska recently began a lengthy merger process with the Honolulu-based company Hawaiian Airlines to expand its presence on the West Coast.

However, it appears there are more challenges ahead for the Seattle-based airline. Alaska now faces greater labor challenges as one of the busiest travel months of the year approaches. The airline’s flight attendants are stepping up their demands for a new contract and are now using the merger to advance their causes.

Previously tense negotiations

Like many airlines, Alaska has faced intense conflict with its labor groups in recent years. The airline has been negotiating a new contract with its flight attendants for several months. Their most recent offer in August was rejected by 68% of union members.

That deal, which was reached with the help of federal mediation, included an average salary increase of 32%, payment for boarding school hours and a salary deferral. However, negotiations had to continue after flight attendants voted against the deal.

Continuation of the discussions

The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), which represents more than 6,000 flight attendants in Alaska, has continued negotiations with the airline through a federal mediator. Flight attendants said several key factors suggested the airline could afford to pay its flight attendants more than what it offered them.

Alaska just completed a costly purchase of Hawaiian. Although the airline is relatively smaller than its competitors, the acquisition came with a hefty price tag of $1.9 billion. Cabin crew also pointed to the high salaries of senior management as further evidence that the airline can afford to pay its onboard crew more generously.

According to the Seattle Times, discussions must now move forward at an accelerated pace. The union hopes to ratify a new contract aimed at integrating Hawaii’s flight attendants (and seniority roster) with Alaska’s before talks in March. Failure to complete this contract by then could result in the carrier’s crew members being excluded from some of the proposed changes.

What’s next?

The first round of placements took place from November 19 to 21, 2024. Although no specific details about the negotiations and the new contract were announced, the union said in a statement to its members that progress had been made on both sides to develop a better contract.

Although progress on this new contract has taken longer than expected, both sides are working toward a mutually beneficial solution. Two more mediation sessions are planned for December 2024 and January 2025, which both parties hope will be enough to agree on a new deal.

The union has warned its members against collective action such as coordinated sick visits or other planned disruptions, saying they are illegal in the interest of maintaining a reliable schedule this holiday season. That’s good news for Alaska and its passengers who rely on the airline for winter transportation.