Airline Strikes Loom: Flight Attendants Seek Permission to Strike, Pilots May Follow

American Airlines flight attendants have petitioned for the right to strike after a 30-day "cooling-off period" due to frustrations over the lack of progress in contract negotiations. Southwest pilots are also considering a strike if a contract deal is not reached in the next few days. However, federal law makes it difficult for airline workers to strike, and the last strike by a U.S. airline union occurred in 2010. American Airlines disputes the claim that negotiations are stalemated and states that progress is being made. Both unions are encouraged by advances made by other unions this year and hope for a favorable outcome.