“A Slap in the Face” Was What American Offered Its Flight Attendants Fair?
Taylor Rains March 20, 2020
American Airlines has cut its capacity by 50% since the start of the coronavirus outbreak. As a result, the company has been forced to offer options for leave of absence to its pilots and flight attendants, but the terms for each workgroup are vastly different, and Association of Professional Flight Attendants (which represents AA’s flight attendant group) is not happy with what they’ve been offered.
Pilot Leave of Absence
Earlier this week, American Airlines revealed the following three options are being offered to its pilot group regarding leave of absence:
- Voluntary Extended Leave of Absence: pilots can choose to take an unpaid leave of absence lasting up to 12 months. If chosen, pilots cannot accrue sick or vacation time, but will still receive benefits and accrue length of service.
- Voluntary Short-Term Leave of Absence: pilots can choose a one, three, or six-month leave of absence, which will pay for 55 hours of flying per month. If pilots choose this option, they will still accrue sick and vacation time, and maintain seniority.
- Voluntary Permanent Leave of Absence: pilots who are 62 years of age or older can retire early if they wish, and will be paid for 50 hours of flying a month from when the leave of absence starts until they turn 65. This option cannot be revoked once it is chosen.
Two of the three options offer a minimum payment, which is a good deal for the pilots who choose to take some time off or retire early. Furthermore, while the first option doesn’t offer pay, it still provides full benefits and maintains their seniority. Although the pilot group seems to have been presented with good options amid the coronavirus crisis, the flight attendant group was offered much less.
Flight Attendant Leave of Absence
The following two options were offered to the 26K+ flight attendants working for American Airlines:
- Flight attendants have the option to take an unpaid six, nine, or 12-month leave of absence, and they still retain their medical and travel benefits
- American wants to offer flight attendants the option to leave early, but the company and the union have not yet agreed on the terms
The flight attendant union was not happy with what American offered, explaining the offer as a “slap in the face.” Lori Bassani, President of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, said in a statement, “We are highly offended that the company offered the pilot group financial benefits for two of the pilot options and would not consider the same for our group. This is a slap in the face for our members who are keeping this airline in the air — and it severely underestimates our relevance during this or any crisis.”
The union is angry that the company fails to see the value of its flight attendants, and that they are unable to properly social distance due to the nature of their jobs. They are exposed to hundreds of people a day and are put in hazardous working conditions, so the union is seeking extra conditions for flight attendants:
- Reduce the number of services on flights (such as inflight drink or meal service) to minimize the interaction with passengers
- Hazard pay for flight attendants who are unable to take a leave of absence and must fly in order to pay bills
- Enough precautionary supplies for flight attendants when working
- Expanded protection for flight attendants who are quarantined or test positive for coronavirus
It is just a matter of time to see if the union can work out better terms for the flight attendant group.
What do you think about the difference in leave of absence offerings? Let us know in the comments!
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Now that airlines are flying few flights daily wonder what choices the FA community is doing? I'd say they have very little leverage to bargain.
I do not want to AA to go under but I have the same terribly negative attitude toward the airline's culture and service as many commenters here. Few FAs have a clue they are supposedly in the hospitality industry. Those who do deserve better associates and a better corporate culture.
I just don't understand what the union or the author is thinking ? why would they compare pilot paid to FA? From what I read, they basically what the FA to open and close door and sit for the entire flight chatting with another crew member and get paid. I don't know, but would it better to voluntary leave and get paid by unemployment ?
They should see what the FA on Indian based airlines are being offered... sorry, but in years of flying I can count on 2 hands, how many great FA I have met on the plane... sad, but when some FA would rather spend time playing candy crush.. ...
I think if the original author looked at the comments they would see that their premise of "A Slap in the Face...." to the FA's, was NOT supported by the respondents. I wonder if the author of the article would like to comment on the comments of the respondents in here ?????