American Airlines Flight Attendants and Southwest Pilots Threaten to Strike

Unions demand significant pay raises amid stalled negotiations, but airlines insist progress is being made.

American Airlines flight attendants have requested federal officials for the right to go on strike, potentially before the end of the holiday travel rush.
Southwest pilots have opened a 'strike center' in Dallas and may also request the right to strike if they don't reach a contract deal with the airline soon.
American Airlines has disputed the flight attendants' union claim that negotiations are stalemated, stating that they have been offering the union an 'industry-leading economic proposal' for months.
The flight attendants' union is asking for immediate raises of 35% and then annual increases of 6% under a 3-year deal, while American is offering 11% upfront, which they claim is 18% including higher pay during boarding times, followed by annual increases of 2%.
Southwest pilots are likely to receive raises similar to those approved for American Airlines pilots due to pattern bargaining.