(Reuters) -A union representing flight attendants for American Airlines (NASDAQ:) Group said on Thursday that the latest round of talks with the airline this week did not result in an agreement.
The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), which represents about 28,000 American Airlines flight attendants, said they have moved closer to a strike because the airline has not presented a favorable agreement.
However, the airline’s flight attendants cannot leave their jobs until the National Mediation Board (NMB) gives them permission.
The board will first have to determine that both parties are at an impasse and that further negotiations would not be productive. This lengthy and complex process makes it quite difficult for airline workers to strike.
Last year, NMB denied a union request to be exempt from federal mediation.
American Airlines said in an emailed statement to Reuters on Thursday that it will continue to negotiate with the union so its flight attendants can benefit from the contract.
“This agreement is within reach and we look forward to the additional dates planned,” the airline spokesperson said.
The current round of negotiations began in January 2020 but was paused at the height of the pandemic. Talks resumed in June 2021.
Earlier this month, the airline had offered its flight attendants an immediate 17% pay increase in their new contract, which was later unanimously rejected by the APFA.
