WASHINGTON, D.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Flight attendants working for a company under the American Airlines umbrella are preparing to strike following complaints over their pay.
Ballots will be sent to more than 1,300 PSA Airlines flight attendants between Aug. 21 and Sept. 17 to authorize a strike. The employees work on American-owned American Eagle regional flights.
Charlotte airport workers hold protest over ‘poverty-level’ wages
“Life at PSA is unsustainable for Flight Attendants without significant improvements,” said Lee Wilkes, president of the PSA chapter of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA union. “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 filed for federal mediation in January. The union says management finally returned an economic proposal with what they call “insulting base wage increases” that fail to keep up with the cost of living and increases at mainline carriers.
PSA attendants are fighting for double-digit base-pay increases, increased pay for time at work, sick leave, work rule improvements, and more.
Headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, PSA Airlines is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines Group operating 500 daily flights to nearly 100 destinations.
In July, American Airlines and the union representing its flight attendants said they reached an agreement on a new contract that includes pay raises, a deal covering 28,000 workers.
The Association of Professional Flight Attendants previously rejected an American offer that would have increased pay immediately by 18% followed by annual 2% raises. Those flight attendants voted last year to authorize a strike, and union leadership had raised the threat of a walkout this fall.