MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. — The union representing flight attendants for Minnesota-based Sun Country Airlines says those members have voted to authorize a strike.
In a news release sent out Thursday, union leaders said the nearly 600 flight attendants who staff Sun Country flights have not had a pay adjustment since 2016, and are far behind colleagues at similar carriers when it comes to compensation. The union maintains that Sun Country Airlines exceeded $1 billion in revenue for the first time last year, and reported greater revenue than ever before in the first quarter of 2024.
“The people who run this company want to sit back and do nothing but collect a fat check while everyone else at Sun Country works hard for peanuts,” said Tom Erickson, President of Local 120 and Teamsters Central Region International Vice President. “They’re in for a rude awakening. Our members are furious, and they will do whatever it takes to get what they deserve.”
“Ninety nine percent of those eligible to vote have authorized a strike. That is not a number that Sun Country can or should ignore," added Tanya DeVito, a flight attendant and member of the Sun Country Teamsters Local 120 Bargaining Committee. "We expect a solid economic package to be brought to us at September’s mediation session, or we will take this to the next level.”
Sun Country released a statement Friday morning, saying the airline appreciates its flight attendants and respects their right to "express themselves through this vote."
"A strike authorization vote is a common tool used by unions during contract negotiations. It does not mean that a strike is imminent or will happen at all," Sun Country said in the statement. "Under federal law, there are many steps that must be taken before airline employees can go on strike, including a notification to the public and the approval of the federal government. That is not where we are in the process."
The airline said that negotiations are ongoing with assistance from a federal mediator, and expressed confidence an agreement will be reached.
Sun Country also assured customers that the strike authorization will not impact their travel.
It's important to note that a strike authorization does not mean a strike will actually happen. Sun Country says federal laws have strict guidelines that airlines and unions must follow before a strike can be begin.
Union leaders say mediation sessions have been scheduled in September, October and December. Sun Country says the two sides could also undergo an arbitration process that could also resolve the dispute. If the two sides can't reach a deal there is a mandatory 30-day cooling off period.
A Sun Country spokesperson says this negotiation process will take several months.