Association of Flight Attendants-CWA

AFA and Piedmont announce deal after Flight Attendants turn out 100% strike vote authorization

Harrisburg, PA (January 20, 2022) — Piedmont Flight Attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, today announced a Tentative Agreement (TA) that includes substantial wage increases, no cuts to their high-quality healthcare program, and meaningful work rule improvements. The agreement was reached through mediation with the National Mediation Board (NMB).

“We organized to mobilize action. We spoke with one voice. We demanded contractual improvements that treated us with the dignity and respect we’ve earned. And we won,” said AFA Piedmont President Keturah Johnson. “We are deeply grateful for the solidarity and support of our AFA family, the labor movement and the flying public who raised their voices alongside our own.”

The TA follows a historic unanimous strike authorization vote by Piedmont Flight Attendants in October, after the company proposed a contract that would have resulted in concessions to overall take home pay. That changed dynamics at the bargaining table almost immediately. Under the Railway Labor Act, contracts become amendable and do not expire. The result was years of mediation overseen by the previous administration without movement from the company.

“Solidarity works,” said AFA International President Sara Nelson. “Credible strike threats work. The election of President Biden and the Senate confirmation of his nominees for a worker supportive NMB made a difference. Piedmont Flight Attendants spoke with one voice and acted as one. They built solidarity with our union family and asked the public for support. Working together, we secured a contract that will improve the lives of hundreds of families and make Piedmont better for workers and passengers. This is what we can achieve when we come together through our unions.”

Further details of the 4 year agreement will not be made public until they are released to the Piedmont Flight Attendants. The tentative agreement will go to a full membership vote.

Piedmont Airlines is a wholly owned regional airline of American Airlines Group. Headquartered in Salisbury, MD, Piedmont has Flight Attendant bases in Philadelphia and Charlotte operating 400 daily flights to over 55 destinations.

###

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, (AFA) AFL-CIO represents nearly 50,000 Flight Attendants at 17 airlines. AFA is the union that has advanced the Flight Attendant profession for 75 years, beating back discrimination and improving wages, benefits, working conditions, and aviation safety, health and security in the aircraft cabin. AFA also partners with the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afacwa.org