We are asked frequently about the status of this long-standing dispute. It has been strangely quiet for the past few weeks following an unusual Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant picket at Honolulu International Airport. We’re waiting for news and are cautiously optimistic that this silence indicates significant progress is being made!
The most recent December demonstration took a starkly different tone compared with prior picketing both in Honolulu and Los Angeles. This time, flight attendants used the kill them with kindness technique, greeting passengers, and assisting with bags and in other ways. After the picket, they even presented lei at the company’s nearby corporate headquarters.
“We really decided to change the message,” said Jaci-Ann Chung, union representative. “We felt that this was a more natural extension of what the flight attendant community is.”
Hawaiian Airlines’ flight attendants had previously voted overwhelmingly to strike, as the company simultaneously celebrated its 90th birthday. The cabin crew is fighting for a better contract and benefits that have been the subject of an ongoing dispute for over two years. It was the first time in the airline’s 90 year history, that Hawaiian Airlines’ 2,100 flight attendants voted to strike. Their decision was virtually unanimous.
Mechanic contract negotiations up next.
Another union, IAM, is currently negotiating with the company on behalf of approximately 2,200 mechanics and other personnel. There is a goal for those talks to be completed by April.
When could a flight attendant strike occur?
First, it is still remains too early to know if a strike will actually happen. But for now at least, no immediate strike is possible. Here’s what’s going to happen next:
– The mediation board (NMB) must make the determination that deadlock exists. We have not heard word that has occurred.
– Thereafter, NMB would set a 30 day cooling off period.
– The parties would then be released from mediation.
– Subsequent to the above, a strike action could be announced.
Given the above steps required prior to a strike, it appears the first possible date an action could occur would be in February or after (and hopefully never).
The fight attendants’ union represents a total of 50,000 flight attendants at 20 airlines. In addition to pay, issues include layover rest, minimum hours worked and sick leave.
How much do Hawaiian flight attendants earn?
Hawaiian flight attendants start at $25 an hour, while those with 20+ years make up to $55 per hour, according to the union. “Some of these flight attendants are well into their 60s and 70s but can’t afford to retire. And management is trying to erode protections and work rules that were gained in previous negotiations.” — Andrew Feldman, AFA. By comparison, Southwest flight attendants are said to make up to $71 an hour.
History of the flight attendant dispute.
Hawaiian Airlines previously indicated that it has achieved tentative agreement on many of the issues since negotiations began in 2017. The company said that its “flight attendants deliver the best hospitality in the industry, and that the company is focused on finalizing a new contract that “recognizes our employees’ contributions to our success, reflects our industry standing, and allows Hawaiian to remain competitive and continue to grow.
Flight attendants said, “We transformed this job into a career over decades of bargaining; we are not going backwards.” That according to Sharon Soper, AFA Hawaii President. “We will not agree to concessions while Hawaiian Airlines makes record profits.” The union also said that Hawaii has one of the highest costs of living for any U.S. state, and Hawaiian flight attendant pay has fallen in comparison with the rest of the industry.
Beat of Hawaii’s take as of 1/20/20.
We continue to believe that there will either be no strike (most likely outcome), or if there is one, that it will be of short duration. A prolonged strike would be destructive, coming in the midst of a very challenging time in Hawaii travel, with the rapid ramp up of competition from Southwest Hawaii flights.
Hawaiian Airlines can ill afford any interruption in service, no matter the cost, especially over the next twelve months. Therefore, this remains the best time for the flight attendants to push for an immediate contract resolution.
Photo depiction of Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Updated 1/20/20.
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Hi! Do you have any updates on the possibility of strike? We are flying December 28- returning Jan 4. Thanks so much!
Hi Anne.
No word on that yet.
Aloha.
So our child is a student at uh. We just booked his flight home for the Christmas break…and he’ll be flying back to school early/mid January. I know you won’t really know…and we will monitor on our end…but what happens if they do decide to strike (in January)…will they book us on a flight with another airline? Or are we out of luck? Or should we book a refundable flight with another airline?
Aahhh…so many questions!!! Thank you for any insights you may have/provide. And thank you for keeping everyone posted!
Hi Susie.
We don’t know what Hawaiian would do should there be a strike. Sorry to not know more, but the good news is that there are so many reasons that make a strike highly unlikely.
Aloha.
Thank you! Appreciate it.
We are flying Jan 19th to Honolulu.
Could you please give any insights what the policy might be, does HA find flyers other flights if still on strike?
Thanks for all your posts, on so many helpful topics.
Hi Gerry.
Thank you.
We don’t know how it would be handled to be honest. And we don’t expect it to get to that point honestly. Also, since a strike has already been announced, it is undoubtedly too late to be protected by buying travel insurance.
Aloha.
Aloha! Thank you so much for all of your updates. We are flying HA in 2 days and again on November 30, inter-island flights between Honolulu and Lihue. What do you think the chances are of a strike affecting our trip that we have spent more than a year planning?
Thank you!
Hi Allison.
There is no chance of anything happening for at least a month if not longer. And never is even more likely.
Aloha.
Aloha!
Mahalo for your newsletters. I often receive your emails before a HA email. I have been flying HA since the ’70s, tho I did fly Aloha if the fare was better…miss them too. That said, I love HA and the flight attendants. In all those years I have only seen two gate agents who didn’t express the “aloha spirit”.
That HA attendants are paid as much as $20/he LESS than other airline attendants is significant. Also, the one comment assumed that all attendants work a 40hr work week…that is not the case. I have also noted that some of the HA planes have been reconfigured to allow more passenger seating while making the attendant’s galley so small I’m amazed that they can even turn around, and it’s impossible for two attendants to work effectively in such a small space. More important it gives the attendants the impression that HA doesn’t care about them….which has some merit.
The attendants union has been trying to get a new contract for several years, w/o success, tho the pilots were given a new contract at least a year ago. Normally, I would side with HA, but having spoken w/many attendants over the years and seen the difficult conditions they have to work in on some flights, I firmly believe they deserve an hourly increase which brings them in line w/pay at other airlines. One former Aloha employee told me that many of the attendants would return to Aloha airlines if it were still in operation as they treated their attendants far better than HA. I was very sad to hear that.
I don’t want to see a strike but do hope HA will realize that the flight attendants are a valuable asset, and that value should be recognized after so many years w/o any wage increase!
Mahalo, for your informative newsletters!
Hi Lynn.
Thank you.
Aloha.
We’re flying on Jan. 7. Should we be worried?
We appreciate your updates and Hawaii info.
Thanks!
Hi Barney.
We can’t honestly say at this point. Odds still greatly favor settlement rather than a strike.
Aloha.
Unbelievable that someone who ends their career making $114,400 annually can’t “afford” to retire. Most of the people I know, including myself, made a little over half that in their highest earning years and have a great retirement now. Perhaps they aren’t good at planning and personal finance?
To put their jobs in perspective there is a huge safety component in a job description that includes free travel, lodging, and meals. But the crux of the job is customer service and no one in the private sector makes that kind of income doing the balance of their duties.
I hear certain Hawaiian elected officials embrace various ‘new deals’ where air flight would be eliminated but present no alternative getting to the islands. I also read almost daily letters on the Kauai Garden Isle how many residents, many who are transplants, dislike tourists and the issues they bring along with the minimum wage jobs created to serve them.
I’ve often told my wife native Islanders don’t need our money. They could survive fishing, hunting, and farming. But to do that there would have to be a huge reduction in population and a complete return to a hunting and gathering economy and lifestyle.
Be careful what you wish for, you may get it. On the other hand, I’ll bet plenty of local and mainland people would love a job with travel that pays over six figures. They are called replacements.
Aloha,
I would suggest that with a strike vote that high that there is a problem with management.
Mahalo
Workers deserve to be valued and Corporations need to control costs. Let us hope for the sake of the employees and Corporation and its Customers, this can be resolved quickly without the economic pain which a strike would bring to both sides. It could be a gift for Southwest and if they capture more of Hawaiian’s route shares then this could mean layoffs which no one wants. Good luck to both sides.
Hi Rich?
Well stated.
Aloha.
I love Hawaiian Airlines and support the action. If I were going there now I would definitely let them know. I am always happy to see older flight attendants (I am old too) but sad to know they must work, as do I. Also, I wonder if the people complaining know how blue a state Hawaii is overall, especially the part where I go.
Blu2???as in political? This is NOT that forum
Competition makes this a tough time to strike your employer. HA has been assisted by the SWA equipment limitations. Once those loosen, the competition will be even tougher.
I’ve negotiated my own way through life and haven’t relied on politicized organizations. I support the right to work and hope some will continue to do so. That said, most crews are likely based in two of the deepest blue states. Self inflicted wounds are common.
Aloha!
Please don’t bring politics into the mix. I fly Hawaiian Airlines frequently and can personally vouch for the outstanding service the flight attendants provide. Without question, they deserve a contract on par to that of the competition.
That makes me NOT want to fly on Hawaiian Air! Why do you publish a political comment? Bernie is a total socialist; maybe communist and if the flight attendants are happy with him, I’m not happy with them!
having taken inter-island flights many times, the flight attendants basically do little in these 1/2 hour flights. Hopefully, they aren’t asking for too much like the UAW auto workers.
Aloha Rob and Jeff! I’ve notice in a few posts where folks bring “goodies” to hotel workers and airline employees. I’m wondering what kind of sweet treats or trinkets we can bring from our home in the Bay Area to show some Aloha. We aren’t flying to Maui until May 2020.
Mahalo.
Hi Debi.
Yes that’s a nice thing we think too. Chocolates come to mind but then it’s a very personal choice. And with those, at least they can share if they want to.
Aloha.
Mahalo for your reply, guys! Sounds like a couple of boxes of See’s candies would be a good choice for us to bring. Aloha.
1. Folks don’t forget they choose to work for HA
2. If your not satisfied with your current status put your application in other places and see if they value you as much as you and your current employer.
3. I do believe that the attendant can have good faith bargaining but be careful. You can heavily damage the one that feeds you. If that’s done guess what happens…
4. Don’t EVER belief or trust a campaigning politician (and or) the government to understand the free enterprise system.
5 . Some politicians promise “the moon” until the day after they are elected.
6. If the government gets deeper into private business by promising a “ free ride” and control in many economic areas who’s to say that they won’t take your next?
God bless America! The greatest country in the world !!
Mike it people like you that has helped shrink the middle class to smallest it has been since WWII.
Thank you beat of Hawaii in keeping us informed of what’s going on. I appreciate all that you do. Mahalo
Hi Marilyn.
Thanks! We both appreciate you very much too.
Aloha.
Thanks for the info. I too am flying Hawaiian in December. I think the strike is ok, but Hawaiian hospitality and policies have really changed in the 13 years I have flown. Charging for luggage, flight changed and changing meals to inedible sandwiches have deeply effected my loyalty to Hawaiian airlines. The flight attendants seem to be underpaid and yes, Hawaiian Airlines Corp is sadly ONLY interested in the bottom line.
Kathy S
Kalaheo
The bottom line is why a business is created. No other reason is valid. Shareholders ensure the focus is kept.
Bill are you talking about the shareholders or the proatatereat? Thanks for helping to shrink the middle class.
We are currently on Kauai, having flown in on 11/13. We acknowledged every flight attendant that served us with a tiny beaded angel letting them know we support their efforts and are behind them 100%. There, in our book, are no better attendants than those who chose to work for Hawaiian Air. They deserve much more than what they are being given. They are what makes that 5+ hour flight more than bearable. It is like being bathed in aloha for those few more hours that it takes to get here and on the return back to the PNW.
Feel the same way – ha flight attendants are the best and the reason we only fly ha.
We fly to the ninth island 3-4 times yearly and find Hawaiian flight attendants second to none. We have also flown Southwest (John Wayne Airport to Las Vegas) a couple of times. There is no comparison to the service and professionalism that HAL employees provide. The employees are the ones that have made HAL what it is today. GIVE THEM THEIR DUE…
Hello. Will the airlines hire temporary flight attendants and continue to operate if they vote to strike, we are flying to Kauai on Nov 23 and returning on Nov 30 so I am very concerned.
Thank you!
Hi Christine.
We cannot imagine a scenario in which they would have “other” flight attendants. Don’t worry too much as this should be resolved.
Aloha.
In comparison to other major carriers, Hawaiian Airlines needs to get on board and catch up. Always a great flight with Hawaiian attendants!! If they want to remain competitive in Hawaii, why even consider allowing personnel to strike?
Aloha! No one asked me but I feel like HA is cutting their nose to spite their face!
I support the workers and when I land at HON next week I will tell them! And I will carry sweet treats to hand out to them. They are indeed getting the short end.
Mahalo for this blog! 🌺
Thanks Tea.
Aloha.
Good idea! We are flying to Maui later this month and will do the same. Last year we were on Maui during the Sheraton Strike, we would walk by every day and got to know some of the people. Just trying to make a living. We made them chocolate chip cookies, felt we wanted to do something, even though it wasn’t much.
I have flight from Oakland to Maui departing the Wednesday before Christmas, any thoughts if the strike could extend into that holiday season?
Mahalo!
Mark M.
Hi Mark.
All that we know at present is contained in the article. We’ll update as we learn more.
Aloha.
Agree totally.
Could you please tell me if you have any helpful hints for renting a car on Molokai or Lanai. I know sometimes selection can be very limited and prices quite high in comparison to the other Islands.
Mahalo
Hi Trudy.
Suggest checking with our friends at Discount Hawaii Car Rental. Let us know how it goes.
Aloha.
Always use DiscountHawaiiCarRental.com………They beat Costco everytime!
I found that to not always be the case. I was in Maui last month for 10 days. The costco price for a minivan started at 575. The prices change every day and by the time I departed I paid only 284 out the door. Check costco weekly as prices change and cancel your reservation as many times as you need to. None of the local rental car places compare to Costco-if you check prices.
We also book with Costco in almost every city we travel to , frequently making new reservations and canceling previous ones due to price changes. Costco reservations always include one additional driver as well. I would also suggest getting fuel at Costco when on the islands of Maui and Hawaii if it is convenient. The prices were approx. $1 less a gallon when we were there earlier in the year. I believe Kauai may have a Costco as well.
We haven’t been to Lanai or Molakai in several years but did find the best price on Molokai to be through Discount Hawaii Car Rental. In Lanai, we prefer to rent four-wheelers since we mainly travel off of the paved roads. Unless it has changed the shuttle can tale you anywhere else and there are very few paved roads. We started doing this one year when we were unable to rent a jeep to take of of the paved roads due to the heavy rains and found it to be our preferred way to travel on the island.
Funny that you mention gas prices. When we were in Kauai this past summer, gas prices were actually 25 cents a gallon cheaper than what we pay here in California. Another good reason to vacation in the islands!
Wow, we have a flight booked on Hawaiian to Maui on November 24th. Should I be looking at flights on other airlines? It’s Thanksgiving time and those flights tend to fill up quick. Don’t want to be stuck with no flight.
Use your manners or no reply… which you should do anyway. Please and thank you.
Hi Lanell.
Thank you!!
Aloha, R/J
Thank you so much for this update. I’ll be flying roundtrip in November as well–San Diego to Honolulu. Will Ohana be part of the negotiations and potential strike as well? I rely on their flights also.
Hi Betsy.
We don’t know for sure, but believe that Ohana is separate as it is run by another company.
Aloha.
Aloha and mahalo for this timely article, I have 2 trips coming up (mid-Oct and Feb), and while I 150% support the workers, part of me has been a bit concerned. Now I’m not so worried.
Hi Tea.
We’re with you in not expecting problems that seem unlikely at this point.
Aloha.
Aloha,
Thank you for your great website. We are visiting Kauai in May, 2020 and we were wondering about the status of the North Shore highway repairs. I know that they have been hammered by bad weather the last couple of years.
Thanks again.
Hi Curtis.
Thank you. The repairs are complete and in that regard you are good to go. There are mandatory parking and entry permitting rules in effect that you need to be aware of.
Aloha.