June 20 (Reuters) - A union representing flight

attendants for American Airlines Group ( AAL ) said on Thursday

they are preparing to strike after contract negotiations with

the carrier failed to produce an agreement this week.

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA),

which represents about 28,000 American Airlines ( AAL ) flight

attendants, said after a year of mediated talks with the

National Mediation Board, the airline did not come to an

agreement that was favorable to the workers.

The flight attendants say they have not had a pay raise in

more than five years and have endured a lot since the pandemic.

American Airlines ( AAL ) said in an emailed statement to Reuters

that it will continue to negotiate with the flight attendants so

that they benefit from the contract.

"This agreement is within reach and we look forward to

additional dates being scheduled," the airline spokesperson

said.

The current round of negotiations started in January 2020,

but was paused at the height of the pandemic. Talks resumed in

June 2021.

Earlier this month, the airline had offered its flights

attendants immediate wage increases of 17% in their new

contract, which was later unanimously rejected by the APFA.