From CNBC:

American Airlines flight attendants picketed at O’Hare International Airport to demand better working conditions and higher wages. They make an average of $67,000 a year and haven’t received pay increases since before the pandemic. United, American, Southwest, Alaska Airlines, and others are affected by the strike. Pilots received pay raises, causing flight attendants to push for similar improvements. Demonstrations mark the first mass pickets jointly held by the labor unions, which represent over 100,000 flight attendants. Stagnant pay and increased inflation have caused frustration among flight attendants.

Flight attendants are demanding higher wages and better quality of life after experiencing job stress from packed planes, reduced staffing, overloaded schedules, and at times, unruly travelers. They have not received pay increases since before the pandemic, while the cost of living has sharply risen. Despite the picketing, the aviation industry is unlikely to see strikes or work stoppages like other industries. Flights attendants’ contracts do not have expiration dates and would require federal release to go on strike. Southwest Airlines flight attendants rejected a tentative agreement in a vote last year. Flight attendants from the largest airlines haven’t received pay increases since before the pandemic, while the cost of living rose sharply. Demoillustratons mark the first mass pickets jointly held by the labor unions, which represent more than 100,000 flight attendants at U.S. airlines between them. New labor deals would come not just on the heels of pilot contracts, but also pay raises won by autoworkers, Hollywood writers and at major companies like UPS. Flight attendants are demanding higher wages and better quality of life.



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