Contract negotiations: expectations vs. reality
AFA sets high expectations of what it can secure for Delta flight attendants in a contract. But in reality, union negotiations are a “give-and-take” and it’s much harder to deliver on big campaign promises.
At the end of the day, there are no guarantees, and it all has to come together in one package that works for both the union and the company.
For example, APFA represents American Airlines flight attendants and spent the last five years in tumultuous negotiations for a new contract.
Two major items APFA negotiated for – boarding pay and a new profit sharing formula – are things that Delta flight attendants already have. But there are many other provisions APFA proposed and failed to deliver for AA flight attendants, including:
✕ Immediate 33% pay scale increase to match Southwest
✕ More vacation days
✕ Increasing AA flight attendants’ wages if Delta or United increased their wages
✕ Pay raises during the years of negotiations
✕ Annual 6% raises
✕ Capping health care premium increases to 6% a year
✕ More sick time
✕ An improved crew meal program
✕ More items like reserve override pay, night pay, and increasing VAC pay to 5:00/day
While the new agreement does include pay and work rule enhancements, APFA fell short on the items listed above. And American flight attendants had to wait five years without a pay raise or improvements to their work rules to get this agreement.
On top of spending years negotiating to match Delta’s profit sharing plan and boarding pay, the reality is Delta flight attendants still lead the industry in total compensation.
At Delta, we’re committed to continuous and consistent improvement. Our culture of collaboration and listening to our people to improve their work life is what allows us to deliver more and deliver faster.
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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.