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Sun Country Airlines flight attendants have authorized a strike – but don't make alternative travel plans just yet.
While the strike is authorized it doesn't mean it'll go ahead. Many steps are required, including the breakdown of current negotiations, before a strike could begin.
Negotiations with the Minneapolis-based airline have been in process for nearly five years. Now, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 120, which represents just under 560 Sun Country flight attendants, says 99% of eligible employees have voted in favor of the authorization, putting pressure on the airline to reach an agreement.
“We voted to strike for one simple reason — Sun Country is dragging out the negotiation process and we are fed up. We are fighting for the contract we deserve,” Tanya DeVito, a Sun Country flight attendant, said in a statement. “We expect a solid economic package to be brought to us at September’s mediation session, or we will take this to the next level.”
Employees say they are still working on a pay scale agreed upon in 2016, set in an amendment to a 2014 contract. On December 31, 2019, the collective bargaining agreement became amendable again. A tentative agreement was reached in 2023, but 96% of union members voted against the contract.
The union notes that Sun Country hit $1 billion in revenue for the first time last year. In the first quarter of 2024, the company reported $311 million in revenue, an increase from the first quarter of 2023.
“Sun Country CEO Jude Bricker told shareholders last year that they made a lot of money because of their ‘unique business model.’ That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard in my life,” Chris Riley, Local 120 Business Agent, said. “This carrier is making more money than ever because it’s short-changing its workforce.”
The airline's flight attendants start at $21.53 per hour and can see the rate go as high as $53.56 an hour with 30+ years of experience. However, that still has them below other low-cost airlines, per the union.
Sun Country officials say the authorization will not impact travelers in the near term. “We are confident an agreement will be reached that Sun Country’s flight attendants will be proud to support and that supports the future of our airline,” the airline said.
Since the authorization involves an airline, many steps must happen before a strike can be called. That includes this authorization, the union notifying the public, and approval from the federal government. September's negotiations would need to hit a wall before a 30-day cooling-off period could begin, after which the union could call a strike.
SOURCE: Bring Me The News
