Alex Roberts, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants Union Government Affairs Representative and Contract Action Ambassador, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to speak about a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with American Airlines.
Roberts called the CBA historic, as it provides members with industry-leading wages, nearly doubled the company contribution/match for the 401(k), established per diem rates, improved the profit sharing rates, created boarding pay, added retroactive pay and improved work roles. He said 88.6 percent of members voted to ratify the contract
The fight for a new contract began about six years ago, said Roberts. He explained how the Railway Labor Act governs their contract, which means it never expires - it can only be amended. This limits the threat of a strike, as the union has to jump through many hoops, which can take years, before it is allowed to seek a strike authorization from its members.
Roberts stressed the importance of winning retroactive pay, which will go back to 2020. Union leaders, he said, pushed for the membership to be made whole and receive the pay they deserve for the work they perform. On the APFA website, there is a calculator for members to help them determine how much retroactive pay they will receive from the airline. It will be a sizable amount and allow members to make life-changing decisions, he said.
Roberts also discussed why boarding pay is a major win, as flight attendants will now be paid for the work they are doing during the boarding process.
To learn more about the recently ratified agreement, listen to the show above.