Virgin America flight attendants reject tentative contract deal as Alaska takeover looms

Virgin America's inflight teammates have rejected a tentative agreement that their fledgling union reached with the airline even as it's being taken over by Alaska Air Group. The rejection leaves flight attendants at both Virgin America and Alaska in limbo regarding their status and seniority, and frustration is brewing. Virgin's teammates voted 490 to 415 to reject the tentative agreement their union negotiators reached with the airline in August, the Transport Workers Union told members Monday. Had it been ratified, the new contract was to take effect the day the Alaska takeover closes, which could come as early as next month. Alaska union leaders said that the Virgin America union's rejection vote "raises questions about what happens next," but they did not elaborate. <br/>