Alaska Air flight attendants are set for 32% increase in pay
Tentative agreement includes boarding pay and retroactive pay
Alaska Air Group Inc.'s unionised flight attendants are in line to get an average pay increase of 32 per cent as part of a new "record contract" with the US carrier, according to a union statement late Tuesday.
The Association of Flight Attendants Alaska disclosed further details of its tentative three-year agreement, which, among a slew of improved changes to remuneration and conditions, includes around 21 months of retroactive pay.
The initial agreement avoids a costly showdown with workers in the near term, a boon for the airline as the profitable peak summer travel period gets underway. A deal could have broader implications for larger rivals American Airlines Group Inc. and United Airlines Holdings Inc. as unions seek similar bumper increases.
A formal deal still needs to be ratified by the full membership. Voting will take place later this month and conclude on Aug. 14.
Southwest Airlines Co. secured a four-year agreement with its cabin crew in April that provided an initial 22.3 per cent pay rise, followed by annual increases of 3 per cent. The labor contract is worth $6.3 billion, and flight attendants will get $364 million in retroactive pay as part of the agreement.