New Alaska Airlines cabin crew contract offer to be voted by union members next month

Alaska Airlines has had a great year. In 2024, the airline touted strong financial performance as it capitalizes on a surge in demand for air travel and premium products.

Additionally, the Seattle-based carrier, which is the fifth largest in the United States, recently completed an acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines . The combined carriers aim to create a powerhouse on the West Coast of America.

However, despite recent successes, Alaska continues to face strife from its cabin crew. For over two years, the airline has not been able to ratify a new contract with its flight attendants.

These frontline workers, who are responsible for ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers on Alaska Airlines flights, have continued to show frustration with management for offering allegedly inadequate improvements to the existing contract flight attendants have with the company.

The job of being a flight attendant is unquestionably hard, especially when considering the difficult circumstances they are forced into as a result of inadequate payment.

According to The Seattle Times, some junior Alaska Airlines flight attendants have found themselves in dire financial situations. In fact, many struggle to make their rent payments and are forced to build up debt to get by. Some even qualify for food stamps.

Thus, it seems improvements are necessary for Alaska flight attendants, though the union and Alaska's management team cannot seem to agree on fair terms for the new deal.

Alaska last made an offer to the union that was rejected last August by over two-thirds of its flight attendants, but it has since returned with a revised and slightly improved contract that the union is now slated to vote on.

Alaska's new offer looks very similar to its previous attempt, according to The Seattle Times. With the exception of compensation for senior flight attendants with over 13 years at the airline, base pay rates have remained unchanged from management's previous attempt to satisfy the union.

The new contract does offer higher boarding pay for cabin crew. This could especially help junior flight attendants that tend to fly shorter routes in the airline's network.

Despite the minimal changes made to the new deal, many believe the union will vote to accept this contract.

This is because in April, negotiations will begin again with over 7,000 Alaska flight attendants and 2,000 Hawaiian flight attendants for one unified contract.

Adjustments made before these negotiations begin will act as the floor for further changes to flight attendant compensation.

Some union members are worried about time. Christina Frees, a Seattle-based flight attendant that has been with Alaska for 13 years, explained why this contract is likely to be accepted:

“They put us in between a rock and a hard place. I do believe it’s likely to be ratified because the cost of living is high and the pay is so bad. We have to get the increase in pay, otherwise we sit for another two to three years waiting for a merger contract.”

Given Alaska's strong financial performance in 2024, union members expect better compensation for the work they are doing.

Alaska reported a net profit of $395 million last year, and with continued enthusiasm for premium seating and air travel overall, it is reasonable to expect this financial success will be sustained into coming years.

Furthermore, Alaska has announced a variety of big changes coming, like long-haul flying from Seattle and more premium seating in its aircraft.

Union members are slated to begin voting on February 11, 2025, and voting will close over two weeks later on February 28, 2025.

Despite optimism that the new contract will be accepted, the fate of the deal will not be certain until after voting closes.