American Airlines flight attendants picket outside O’Hare for pay raise

CHICAGO — Flight attendants with American Airlines are asking congressional labor allies to back their right to strike.

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants picketed outside O’Hare International Airport on Thursday, one week after the union representing United Airlines flight attendants did the same.

The union says American Airlines flight attendants have not received a pay increase since 2019.

As a result, workers are asking members of Congress to urge the National Mediation Board to end the talks, which would allow them to strike in a move that had been approved last year.

“Out flight attendants have gone five years without wage increases,” said APFA Chicago president Dray Howard. “Many of our flight attendants are on food stamps and living in some of the most expensive cities in the United States.”

Union leaders say they scheduled the protest for Thursday as activists arrive in Chicago for the Labor Notes Conference this weekend.

American Airlines released a statement saying, “Reaching an agreement for our more than 26,000 flight attendants remains our priority. We continue to meet regularly with the APFA and are ready to get a deal done quickly.”

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