American Airlines flight attendants will hold a strike vote starting this month, their union announced Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The vote will begin July 28 and end August 29, with the result announced the next day. More than 26,000 flight attendants are seeking wage increases in a new contract with the airline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFlight Attendants are ready for an agreement that respects our contributions to the success of this carrier,\u201d Association of Professional Flight Attendants President Julie Hedrick said in a statement.<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur contract became amendable in 2019, and American\u2019s Flight Attendants have not received cost-of-living increases or any other quality-of-life improvements, even as they played an essential part in keeping American in the skies both during and after the pandemic,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The union has called upon federal mediators to assist in finding a compromise deal with the airline. If mediators can not make a deal, the union would be able to strike after 30 days, if the vote passes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Flight attendants are seeking a 35-percent, one-time wage increase, a 6-percent annual raise and increased benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat a strike authorization vote is even being put before our membership should concern American Airlines and those who invest in and fly our airline,\u201d Hedrick said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n American Airlines flies about 6,700 flights per day to more than 350 destinations worldwide, according to the company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In May, American Airlines pilots authorized a strike<\/u><\/a>, as their own union negotiates a new contract with the airline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The labor action comes as multiple other industries have started or are considering large-scale strikes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hollywood actors joined writers on picket lines<\/u><\/a> last week, and the Teamsters Union is planning strike action against UPS<\/u><\/a> and long-haul trucking company Yellow. United Auto Workers has also threatened a strike<\/u><\/a> amid its own contract negotiations with car manufacturers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n