After three years of negotiations, CWA passenger service and ramp workers at Piedmont Airlines\u2014a subsidiary of American Airlines\u2014overwhelmingly voted to ratify a new contract. Highlights of the five-year contract include improved wages, with a 6 percent bonus upon ratification; expanded vacation and sick accrual time; improvements to overtime accrual; and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bargaining for a new contract began in late 2023 and continued until negotiations deadlocked due to the company’s miserly position\u200b. The National Mediation Board assigned a federal mediator in early 2026 in response to the company\u2019s failure to negotiate in good faith over wages. Under the Railway Labor Act, which governs labor contracts in the transportation industry, contracts do not expire but rather become \u201camendable,\u201d and the process to strike is complicated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCWA members at Piedmont Airlines perform essential and often overlooked labor for one of the country\u2019s most profitable airlines,\u201d said CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. \u201cThis strong agreement is a reflection of our union\u2019s commitment to fight for the indispensable workers that keep our nation\u2019s flying public safe. I thank the members of our bargaining committee for their tremendous work and dedication on behalf of their fellow union members.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThroughout this lengthy process, in the face of the company penny-pinching at the bargaining table, CWA members at Piedmont Airlines understood that solidarity is our strongest tool at the table,\u201d said CWA Chief of Staff Sylvia J. Ramos. \u201cThey remained united for a strong contract that delivers better wages and working conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Congratulations to our Piedmont CWA members!<\/p>\n\n\n\n