MINNEAPOLIS — More than 550 Sun Country Airlines flight attendants voted to strike on Thursday.
The Teamsters Local 120 union, which represents hundreds of Sun Country flight attendants, is demanding higher wages in light of the airline’s record revenues.
The union says there has been no pay increase for flight attendants since 2016 and that their current pay scale “puts them far behind their colleagues at similar airlines.”
Meanwhile, the union said Sun Country exceeded $1 billion in revenue for the first time and reported record revenue in the first quarter of 2024.
“This airline is making more money than ever before by taking advantage of its workforce. Sun Country needs to share the wealth,” said Chris Riley, Local 120 sales representative.
One flight attendant said they voted to strike because “Sun Country is dragging out the bargaining process.” According to Teamsters Local 120, their collective bargaining agreement was able to be completely amended at the end of 2019.
“We value our flight attendants and all they do for Sun Country customers and our airline,” a Sun Country spokesperson said. “We respect their right to express themselves through this vote.”
Sun Country says there should be no disruption to its customers’ travel plans.
Negotiations on a new contract are currently underway with the assistance of a mediator from the National Mediation Board.
The last airline strike in the United States took place 14 years ago. Spirit Airlines pilots went on strike because of a wage dispute.
