Published 17 Aug, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 17, 2016
CONTACT: Thom McDaniel or Ori Korin
Transport Workers Union Reaches First Contract for Virgin America Flight Attendants
Dallas – The Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO (TWU) is pleased to announced that it has reached a tentative agreement with Virgin America on behalf of its flight attendants.
The three-year agreement provides significant economic and quality of life improvements, and a roadmap for all of the workers’ successful transition to Alaska Airlines, contingent upon the regulatory approval of Alaska’s acquisition of Virgin. Highlights of the agreement include a 13-year pay scale, immediate increases in hourly pay, as well as increases in holiday, deadhead, and operational assignment pay. Other benefits are a defined grievance process and commuter policy, improvements in reserve and reliability, and increased flexibility in trip trading and giveaway.
“This contract is an important step forward for our members at Virgin,” said TWU International Vice President Thom McDaniel, who helped negotiate the deal. “It’s a critical victory. And despite the likely acquisition the company faces, we will still fight for what’s best for our flight attendants.”
The negotiating team will now develop a communication and ratification process to allow the flight attendants to make an informed vote, presenting highlights of the agreement, contract educational materials, and a full-text proposal for review. Contract education meetings will be scheduled in person and via conference call, and union representatives will be made available to answer questions.
“While most unions would have abandoned the negotiations process, TWU chose to move forward, and we wish to thank Virgin America for working with us, as well as our members for their consistent patience and fortitude throughout this process,” said Mike Mayes, TWU’s Air Division Director. “We are confident that this agreement will help pave the way for a successful transition to whatever is next for our Virgin America flight attendants, and we’ll be with them every step of the way.”