American Airlines Flight Attendants Approve Contract Labor Offer

American Airlines

American Airlines flight attendants have approved the carrier’s latest contract labor offer it was revealed today.

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) voted 59.5 percent in favor of the offer and 40.5 percent against it.

“In light of last week’s announcement from the Creditors’ Committee, our bankruptcy team firmly believes we have achieved everything possible,” the APFA leadership team said in a statement.

American spokesman Bruce Hicks said the airline was “very pleased’ with the APFA vote and that the ratification of the agreement is “important step” in its restructuring.

“With ratification, our flight attendants will see many benefits that would not have been available without a consensual agreement, including an Early Out incentive which could potentially eliminate the need for more than 2,000 furloughs, a [signing bonus], pay increases over the next five years, an equity stake in the new American and more, Hicks said.

The APFA said the new contact will take effect immediately following approval of the bankruptcy court, which the union expects within a couple of weeks.

The only labor group at American who has not agreed to a new contract are the American’s pilots. American’s parent company AMR filed a motion Friday to get the pilot’s current contract thrown out.

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Image: Flickr [lrargerich]