SEATAC, Wash. — Alaska Airlines flight attendants are staging an informational picket at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) Tuesday at noon as the union works on negotiating a new contract with the company.
The union representing Alaska flight attendants, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, said the company was unable to agree to their initial proposals, saying they were not "economically feasible."
However, Alaska has since announced the $1.9 billion buyout of Hawaiian Airlines. "The hypocrisy angered Flight Attendants who are Alaska's largest work group and the face of the airline," the union said in a statement, alleging the company can afford the deal they're asking for.
In a statement on their website, Alaska countered that they put forward the largest comprehensive economic offer in the history of their flight attendants' contract back in October, saying it included an immediate 15% increase to the wage scale, market rate adjustments and no changes to duty day. The offer would put their flight attendants "at or near the top of the industry in many areas."
There are two more meetings between the company and the union in January and February. Union leadership said they are prepared to announce "escalated actions in support of contract negotiations" on Tuesday.
The picket comes just ahead of some of the busiest days for air travel this year. The flight attendants are not on strike and Tuesday's picket will not impact air travel.
Holiday travel rush at SEA
Saturday, Dec. 23 is expected to be the busiest travel day for the airport with a projected 158,000 passengers going through SEA Airport. Tuesday, Dec. 26 follows close behind with an estimated 157,000 passengers, followed by Dec. 22 with 156,000 and Dec. 27 with 155,000.
The airport is bringing back free 90-minute parking during peak drop-off and pickup times to help congestion on the arrivals and departures drives. The free parking period will be available in the SEA Airport garage between 8 p.m. and midnight starting on Dec. 20 and lasting until Dec. 27. Drivers can park for an hour and a half to pick up or drop off travelers.
To help holiday travel traffic congestion, the airport is encouraging people to "Think Opposite" when dropping off or picking up friends or loved ones. If the arrivals or departures lanes appear to be particularly congested, they ask drivers to use the opposite drive to keep traffic moving at the airport.