Alaska-Hawaiian Announce Merger: What Flight Attendants Need to Know
December 3, 2023 — Today, Alaska Air Group (AAG) management has announced its intent to acquire Hawaiian Airlines. The merger plan is to respect and continue both unique and well established brands, while maintaining the unique identity of both brands.
We know that everyone has questions and concerns about the proposed merger of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. Mergers take time. Nothing will happen overnight. But right now we must stick together because the airlines are very clear about how this will benefit shareholders, consumers, and employees but together we can claim clarity in black and white for our jobs and the improvements we can expect.
Our union of Flight Attendants, AFA-CWA, represents cabin crew at both carriers. Our first priority is to determine whether we support this merger, depending upon what it means in improvements for Flight Attendants. We are gathering information, reviewing the proposed merger, and AFA leaders from both Hawaiian and Alaska will meet with our International Officers and experts to conduct this review. Our union has significant experience in mergers and all of that will benefit us now.
At this point only the merger proposal has been announced - there are several approvals required before it can move forward. Today, we continue to fly as though nothing has changed. In fact, negotiations for Alaska Flight Attendants are continuing and top priority for our union. We will continue to push our careers forward and improvements for Flight Attendants are a central component to our review of support or opposition to a merger.
AFA leadership at both carriers have been in contact with each other and AFA International is coordinating our constitutional protections to ensure Flight Attendant rights and interests are protected. This ensures seniority protections for every flight Attendant and provides a clear process for merger review, required demands of management, and continued representation for all Flight Attendants while working with the power of a united Flight Attendant group to protect our interests.
Please review the Merger section of the Alaska AFA Contract and the Hawaiian AFA Contract and the AFA-CWA Constitution & Bylaws, Section X.
The merger plan is to respect and continue both unique and well established brands. Perhaps no two current airlines are more connected to their communities. Although the practical details have not been worked out, there seems to be a serious commitment to preserving the brands that are so emblematic of their legacy in their respective regions - with names representing the 49th and 50th states.
And let’s be clear, Flight Attendants have been the face of these airlines and delivered for decades the unique qualities that make these airlines special. That has come from the frontline and any future initiatives will require our support. And that requires satisfying all of the concerns of our union and tangible agreements that affirm the protections and benefits for Flight Attendants.
There will be a lot of questions as we move forward and we will work to answer all of them. Avoid feeding into rumor mills that are counterproductive to ensuring everyone has the most accurate and up to date information so we can act with one voice for the benefit of our futures. AFA will work hard to update you with the latest information. You can count on correct information through your AFA communications.
This merger, if it happens, will not happen tomorrow, next week or next month. As the process progresses, we will keep you closely updated and involved. We’ve compiled a list of common questions after an announcement of a merger for your review now, but we know there will be more. .
We are Stronger Together and Better Together. Wear your AFA pin, stay calm and fly on!
In Solidarity,
AFA Alaska and Hawaiian Master Executive Council and AFA International
