How Joe Biden’s Right To Strike Support Enabled Flight Attendant Contract Win

The Biden administration's support for the right to strike has significantly influenced labor negotiations in the airline industry. Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants, highlighted that this backing was crucial in securing a favorable contract for American Airlines flight attendants, which was overwhelmingly approved last week. The administration's involvement marked a departure from the previous two decades of austerity and challenging negotiations, where the right to strike was often undermined. Key figures in the administration, including Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, played pivotal roles in facilitating these negotiations. Their collaboration with the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, representing 28,000 American flight attendants, was instrumental in reaching a deal. Nelson noted that the labor secretary's involvement in airline negotiations is quite rare, emphasizing the unprecedented commitment of the administration to uphold collective bargaining rights. The negotiations resulted in significant improvements for flight attendants, including no concessions, guaranteed pay for boarding, and retroactive pay, which had been absent for many years. Additionally, the agreement includes double-digit wage increases, reflecting a shift towards more favorable labor conditions. This development signals a broader trend of empowering labor movements within the airline industry, with the administration's clear stance on the right to strike being a key factor. As the administration continues to support collective bargaining, it sets a precedent for future negotiations across various sectors.