Association of Flight Attendants-CWA

WASHINGTON (December 16, 2025) — Flight Attendants at Mesa Airlines and Republic Airways –  represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA and International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 135, respectively – have reached a tentative agreement for a joint collective bargaining agreement following the completion of the merger transaction between the carriers in late November. 

The agreement contains economic and quality of life improvements - most notably pay for boarding, which increases compensation up to 16% on average. The unions agreed to expedited negotiations for the JCBA, limiting negotiations to specific issues for this mid-term contract. The Republic contract was used as the base for the JCBA, while protecting Mesa Flight Attendants as they transition to Republic.

The agreement, covering nearly 3,000 Flight Attendants, ensures the benefit of the merger for frontline workers is experienced as soon as possible while preserving their right to full contract negotiations beginning in January 2027.

“We are proud to announce that through the solidarity of our two unions we have reached a tentative agreement for midterm contract improvements for every Flight Attendant in this merger,” said Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA representing Mesa Flight Attendants and Dustin Roach, president of IBT Local 135 representing Republic Flight Attendants. “Solidarity is a force stronger than gravity and we are committed to continuing our work together to lift the experience of Flight Attendants and all workers.”

The Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement will be sent to Republic and Mesa Flight Attendants for a ratification vote beginning January 5. Flight Attendants from both carriers will vote together as one group, and if ratified, the agreement will set the terms and conditions for Flight Attendants at the new Republic Airways. The unions have also agreed to a “date-of-hire” seniority integration. 

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The Association of Flight Attendants is the Flight Attendant union. AFA has been the leader in advancing the Flight Attendant profession for over 80 years. Serving as the voice for Flight Attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill, AFA has transformed the Flight Attendant profession by raising wages, benefits, working conditions, and public awareness about the role of aviation’s first responders. Over 55,000 Flight Attendants come together to form AFA, part of the 500,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at afacwa.org.

Teamsters Local 135 is a strong, member-focused local of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. We represent over 12,000 members in over a dozen Teamster divisions.