Alaska Airlines flight attendants decline new contract, union claims there is still 'unresolved issues' to address.

• In June, a tentative agreement was reached between Alaska Airlines and its flight attendants union.
• The flight attendants union and the company will have to resume negotiations.
• The rejection comes as the company's merger with Hawaiian Airlines looms.

The flight attendants' union rejected a new labor deal that would have resulted in immediate raises of over 24%, according to a statement made on Wednesday. This rejection sets the stage for further negotiations as a merger with United Airlines looms.

In June, the union and the company reached a tentative agreement that set a "record" for boarding pay, back pay, and average pay increases of about 32% over the three-year deal, as stated by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.

"The union stated that there is still work to be done and it will conduct a survey to identify crucial issues before returning to the negotiating table to address them."

Alaska Airlines stated that they are dedicated to reaching a deal that values the vital contribution of their flight attendants and promotes the airline's long-term prosperity.

The airline industry has seen workers push for better pay and working conditions following the halt of labor negotiations due to Covid-19. Salaries and fuel are airlines' largest expenses, and negotiations at some carriers had become contentious before new contracts were approved.

While major carriers' pilots have secured deals in the past two years, other airline employees are still striving for improved compensation.

The airline is still negotiating a new contract with its flight attendants' union.