Alaska Airlines cabin crew vote on revised contract amid financial pressures

Negotiations between the union and management have not yet produced an agreement that satisfies both parties. Last August, a proposed contract was rejected by more than two-thirds of flight attendants. Now, a revised offer is up for consideration by union members.

According to The Seattle Times, the new proposal largely mirrors previous attempts except for improved compensation for senior attendants with over 13 years of service. It does include higher boarding pay, which could benefit junior crew members flying shorter routes.

Many believe this contract might be accepted due to upcoming negotiations involving over 7,000 Alaska flight attendants and 2,000 from Hawaiian Airlines aiming for one unified agreement. Any current adjustments will set a baseline for future talks on compensation.

Christina Frees, an experienced Seattle-based flight attendant with Alaska, shared her perspective: “They put us in between a rock and a hard place. I do believe it’s likely to be ratified because the cost of living is high and the pay is so bad. We have to get the increase in pay; otherwise we sit for another two to three years waiting for a merger contract.”

Union members are expected to begin voting on February 11, 2025, concluding on February 28. While optimism exists regarding acceptance of the new deal, final results will remain uncertain until after voting concludes.