Sun Country flight attendants vote to authorize strike

The union representing more than 500 flight attendants for Minneapolis-based Sun Country Airlines says they’ve voted to authorize a strike.

That move does not mean a strike will happen — but it does authorize union leaders to call one, if contract talks break down.

Teamsters Local 120 said Thursday that its members at Sun Country haven’t had a wage adjustment since 2016. The union also said their pay scale lags behind flight attendants at other airlines, even as Sun Country reports strong financial results.

“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,” Tanya DeVito, a flight attendant and member of the union’s bargaining committee, said in a news release.

Ninety-nine 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.”

Sun Country officials on Friday said they respect the flight attendants’ strike authorization vote — but said it is not affecting the airline’s operations.

“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 in a statement.

Sun Country said contract negotiations continue with the assistance of a mediator.

“We are confident an agreement will be reached that Sun Country’s flight attendants will be proud to support and that supports the future of our airline,” the airline said.