Is the RLA holding us back on pay?
October 10, 2025 - There’s been a lot of conversation on the line and around our negotiations about the Railway Labor Act (RLA) and our negotiations priority to be paid for boarding and more of our time at work. Flight Attendants have asked, “Why is it legal for us not to be paid for every hour at work?”
Some have pointed fingers at the Railway Labor Act (RLA), believing it’s the reason we’re only paid by flight hours. But the truth is more complex and more important for us to understand as we fight for better compensation.
The RLA is not to blame for our lack of hourly pay throughout our duty day. In reality, it’s the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and our exemption from it that is the core issue. Read this article to learn more about our exemption from FLSA and how we use the RLA to negotiate better pay.
