Flight attendants at Sun Country Airlines, represented by Teamsters Local 120, have taken a significant step in their fight for better wages and working conditions. In a resounding vote, 558 members authorized a strike, signaling their dissatisfaction with the ongoing contract negotiations. The union, which represents the airline’s flight attendants, is demanding a fair contract that addresses their concerns about stagnant wages and inadequate working conditions.
The Teamsters have been vocal in their criticism of Sun Country’s leadership, accusing them of prioritizing profits over the well-being of their employees. They point to the airline’s record-breaking revenue in recent years, including surpassing $1 billion in revenue for the first time in 2023, while flight attendants have not seen a wage adjustment since 2016. This disparity, they argue, is unacceptable, especially given the current economic climate and the demanding nature of their work.
Tom Erickson, President of Local 120 and Teamsters Central Region International Vice President, expressed the union’s frustration, stating, “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. They’re in for a rude awakening. Our members are furious, and they will do whatever it takes to get what they deserve.”
Sun Country’s CEO, Jude Bricker, has attributed the airline’s financial success to its “unique business model.” However, the union disagrees, arguing that the airline’s profits are being generated at the expense of its workforce. Chris Riley, Local 120 Business Agent, said, “This carrier is making more money than ever because it’s short-changing its workforce. Sun Country needs to share the wealth.”
The flight attendants are adamant that their decision to authorize a strike is not taken lightly. They emphasize that they are committed to achieving a fair contract that reflects their contributions to the airline’s success. Tanya DeVito, a flight attendant and member of the Sun Country Teamsters Local 120 Bargaining Committee, explained, “We voted to strike for one simple reason — Sun Country is dragging out the negotiation process and we are fed up. We are fighting for the contract we deserve. 99 percent of those eligible to vote have authorized a strike. That is not a number that Sun Country can or should ignore. 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.”
The upcoming mediation session in September will be a crucial point in the negotiations. The union has made it clear that they are prepared to take further action if their demands are not met. The outcome of these negotiations will determine the fate of the strike authorization and potentially impact the future of labor relations at Sun Country Airlines.
