CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday travel season, over 100 American Airlines flight attendants picketed outside the Charlotte Douglas International Airport amid contract negotiations.
People held signs asking the airline for better working conditions and pay increases.
Andrew Alcaraz has been a flight attendant for the last five years with American Airlines. Alcaraz told WCNC Charlotte that morale has been low since the last negotiation in 2012. He added that there's been no raises since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The primary thing we are asking for is a cost of living adjustment, raises," Alcaraz said. "We want to provide for our customers. We want everyone to be safe and these conditions are not safe for us."
Alcaraz said some people he works with will donate plasma to pay rent because they do not make enough money.
Justine Eicher with the Association of Professional Flight Attendants said there are conditions that can be improved.
"We don’t get paid until that door closes. So that time, from when you get on to the plane, we're not being compensated for that," Eicher said.
WCNC Charlotte reached out to American Airlines about the strike. A spokesperson for American Airlines said the company is working on negations and it hopes to find a resolution towards the beginning of 2024. The company also said the pickets will not impact the 2024 holiday travel season.
Contact Austin Walker at awalker@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.