Get the facts: AFA's track record of slow negotiations
One of AFA’s primary roles is to negotiate contracts for the flight attendants they represent, but history shows some mixed results in AFA’s ability to do so effectively or in a timely fashion.
For example: just this week, United Airlines AFA shared that after six months of negotiations, they have reached tentative agreement on only one section of their contract (with 32 other sections still open). And, even though it took six months, there ended up being no changes to the language for that section.
This makes it clear why negotiations in the airline industry often take years. We believe AFA’s track record speaks for itself and that Delta flight attendants benefit more and achieve change faster when we all work directly as a team.
AFA has no experience negotiating a first contract for a work group the size of Delta’s flight attendants. There will be thousands of items on the table, and each proposal can take months or even years to discuss and either reach a consensus or “agree to disagree.” Given the complexity, size, and diversity of our flight attendants, negotiating a contract can be a lengthy process.
No one, including AFA or Delta, knows how long negotiations could take. AFA has said that negotiations take on average 2.5 years – and that AFA can even “negotiate in just a couple weeks”, but many negotiations (sometimes with much smaller work groups) have taken longer.
- GoJet’s first contract with AFA was ratified in 2020 after more than 3.5 years of negotiations for just 366 flight attendants.
- Omni Air’s first AFA contract for just 400 flight attendants ratified in 2017, nearly 6 years after AFA was elected.
- Under AFA, 2,200 Spirit flight attendants waited 9 years for a pay increase while negotiations for their second contract occurred. In that same timeframe, Delta flight attendants received nine pay increases for a total cumulative increase of 48%.
- 25,000 flight attendants at United Airlines waited 4 years during negotiations for their merged agreement.
While there may be promises or estimates about how long negotiating a contract will take, the truth is there are a lot of pieces to the puzzle and no certainty on timing, and while negotiations are ongoing, there are generally few or no improvements to pay or work rules until both parties reach an agreement.
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Stay in the know.
Text DELTA to +1 205 846 8096 for updates*
*By texting the keyword above, you are agreeing to receive periodic SMS text messages from Delta Air Lines regarding One Future. One Delta. Standard messaging and data rates may apply. You may unsubscribe any time by texting “STOP” and the keyword above to +1 205 846 8096. Full Terms.