AA flight attendants push for strike vote | The Hill

American Airlines flight attendants to vote on strike authorization

Flight attendants with the airline will begin voting on a potential strike later this month as thousands of workers fight for better wages.

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants, which represents more than 26,000 attendants, said earlier this week that the vote will last from July 28 to Aug. 29. 

“Flight Attendants are ready for an agreement that respects our contributions to the success of this carrier,” Julie Hedrick, president of the union, said in a statement.

“Our contract became amendable in 2019, and American’s Flight Attendants have not received cost-of-living increases or any other quality-of-life improvements, even as they played an essential part in keeping American in the skies both during and after the pandemic,” she added.

Hedrick said Tuesday that a “strike authorization vote is even being put before our membership should concern American Airlines and those who invest in and fly our airline.”

If both sides fail to reach an agreement, the union warned a strike for “the world’s largest carrier” could come shortly after.

Among the changes attendants are seeking in a new contract include a 35-percent, one-time wage increase, a 6-percent annual raise and increased benefits.  

Earlier this year, American Airlines pilots authorized a strike, as their union negotiates a new contract with the airline.

“It’s time for American Airlines management to show Flight Attendants the respect they are due through appropriate pay and improved working conditions. We are ready for American Airlines to bring these negotiations to a close,” Hedrick said.

The Hill’s Nick Robertson has the details here. 

The Hill on Wednesday hosted its latest small business event, bringing together the Small Business Administration, lawmakers, members of the financial services industry and small business owners to talk about an innovative new small business credit initiative. Watch the recap here.

Key business and economic news with implications this week and beyond:

President Biden on Wednesday met with United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain to discuss contract negotiations with automakers, while the union is currently withholding its endorsement of Biden’s reelection bid. 

With a record 10.5 million small business applications filed in the past two years, Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio) said Wednesday that the Small Business Administration (SBA) needs to rethink how it defines a small business. 

Federal authorities confirmed Tuesday that they are investigating the death of a 16-year-old boy at a poultry plant in Mississippi.

Only 34 percent of Americans approve of President Biden’s handling of inflation, despite the recent rollout of “Bidenomics” to tout the president’s economic agenda, a poll found.

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Upcoming news themes and events we’re watching:

• The National Association of Realtors will release existing-home sales data for June at 10 a.m. ET.
• Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will hold a press conference next Wednesday at 2:30 p.m.

Branch out with more stories from the day:

United Airlines said Wednesday it earned more than $1 billion in the second quarter despite canceling 3,800 flights in the last two weeks of June, when it struggled to recover from storms that crippled its key operation in the New York City area.

Business and economic news we’ve flagged from other outlets:

• Homeowners don’t want to sell, so the market for brand-new homes is booming (WSJ)
• Netflix subscriptions jump 8%, revenue climbs as password sharing crackdown takes hold (CNBC)
• Hollywood’s absolutely bizarre accounting tactics are under renewed scrutiny (CNN)

UPS moves $3.8 billion of essential products every day. That includes everything from books to backpacks to class supplies. As students and teachers prepare for another great school year, UPS is delivering what matters. Learn more.

Top stories on The Hill right now:

A new indictment of former President Trump in connection to his actions surrounding Jan. 6 could pose a real problem for his 2024 White House campaign as he faces potential criminal charges for the third time this year, some Republicans say. Read more

The House Oversight Committee on Wednesday will hear from two IRS whistleblowers who allege the government’s investigation into President Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, was mishandled. Read more

Opinions related to business and economic issues submitted to The Hill:

You’re all caught up. See you tomorrow!