American Airlines contract deal reached

FORT WORTH, TX (Associated Press) — American Airlines and the union representing its flight attendants have a deal on a new contract.

President Joe Biden says the agreement prevents a strike that would have hurt U.S. consumers and the economy.

American and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants announced Friday that they have reached a tentative agreement. They did not disclose the terms.

The union previously rejected an offer that included 18% upfront pay raises.

Union President Julie Hedrick says the deal will put billions of dollars into compensation for the airline's 28,000 flight attendants.

Biden says the agreement averts a strike that would have been devastating for the airline industry and consumers.