America West, Attendants Reach Accord

Phoenix-based America West Holdings Corp. said it reached a tentative deal with the Assn. of Flight Attendants on a contract that offers higher pay and work flexibility for America West Airlines’ more than 2,000 attendants. Terms of the five-year contract agreement, reached late Friday, weren’t disclosed and must be approved by the union’s leaders and ratified by its members, the company said. The rank-and-file vote is expected within a month. Negotiations started in December 1994 on pay, benefits and working conditions. The company and union started federal mediation in May. America West Airlines, the ninth-largest U.S. airline, is a subsidiary of America West Holdings.