Flight attendants at Frontier Airlines, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) are planning to vote on a strike authorization in August “as management refuses to negotiate over the impact of the carrier’s business model change.” Frontier management, according to AFA, “has a legal obligation to bargain over that impact, separate and distinct from its obligation to engage in regular contract negotiations, yet it refuses to do so or to even engage in mediation through the National Mediation Board.”
This business model, according to Jennifer Sala, AFA Frontier president, “has resulted in a massive hit to our compensation and time away from our homes”
One example illustrates how flight attendant pay and work life have been affected: When comparing the same number of days at work in February with March, a flight attendant experienced 11 percent fewer paid flight hours, coupled with a requirement of five more trips to the airport. In April that became a 17 percent reduction in flight hours paid (base compensation) and eight more trips to the airport. This example means over the course of two months, Flight Attendants lost nearly 20 percent in pay for the same number of days worked, while also being required to report to work 40 percent more.
In response to the announcement of a vote to strike, Frontier sent a communication to flight attendants, which Travel Agent received a copy of. In that communication, Frontier calls several of AFA's claims "categorically false," including that the carrier has refused to engage in impact bargaining regarding the effect of the change to a more modular network with a higher percentage of out-and-back flying and that Frontier is legally obligated to engage in impact bargaining separate from the ongoing negotiations for an amended contract.
"Frontier has been diligently participating in monthly negotiations with AFA since December 2023 to bargain for the terms of an amended contract and has on several occasions indicated its willingness to discuss any impact proposals made by the AFA," the airline said in the internal communication. "To date, however, the AFA has not presented any impact proposals to Frontier during these monthly negotiations."
The airline continued: "Contrary to AFA’s claims, our negotiations are progressing extremely well, marked by a collaborative and constructive approach. As we have informed the AFA, we are committed to addressing all concerns, including those that cannot be formally included in the contract, to demonstrate our dedication to our Flight Attendant community. It is surprising and disappointing to see AFA resort to tactics that seem designed to fuel emotions rather than working constructively on important issues."
AFA has a trademarked strike strategy known as CHAOS, or “Create Havoc Around Our System.” With this method, a strike could affect the entire system or a single flight. The union decides when, where and how to strike without notice to management or passengers. There is no strike date set at this time. The first step is authorization by the members to empower the union to set a strike deadline, if necessary.
The flight attendant union filed for federal mediation with the National Mediation Board (NMB) in May after issuing a formal notice to management on April 3, 2024, that its “turn” plan constitutes a dispute under the Railway Labor Act, separate from regular contract negotiations.
That said, Frontier and AFA are not currently in supervised mediation through the National Mediation Board and it is only the NMB that can determine that an impasse in negotiations has occurred and more negotiating sessions are not likely to lead to an agreement. Following, a 30-day cooling-off period must ensue. "None of these steps have occurred. Any talk of a strike is premature and misleading," said Frontier,
AFA says strike vote ballots will be sent to the 4,000 Frontier flight attendants, with the vote opening on August 20 and closing on September 18.
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