AirTran and its pilots have been in contract talks for more than five years. AirTran pilots are paid significantly less than industry-standard, and are seeking a contract that rewards them for their contribution to the success of the airline. The Air Line Pilots Association represents 53,000 pilots at 38 airlines in the United States and Canada, including the more than 1,600 pilots at AirTran Airways. 

Flight attendants at AirTran Airways, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), on Tuesday rallied with AirTran pilots at the company's annual shareholder meeting to shed light on years of unproductive contract negotiations. 

"For over 18 months, AFA-CWA has tried to work with management on negotiating a contract that adequately reflects the work and dedication we continue to provide to this airline," said Alison Head, AFA-CWA AirTran Vice President. "AirTran flight attendants want a contract and will not sit idly by watching management drag negotiations on for years. The flight attendants' contribution to the success of this airline cannot be ignored." 

AirTran flight attendants took out their frustrations public yesterday by picketing at the airline's annual shareholders meeting. For over 60 years, the Association of Flight Attendants has been serving as the voice for flight attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill.