Hoping to use the upcoming Labor Day travel rush to demand better wages and working conditions, unionized United Airlines flight attendants voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to strike if management does not meet their demands.
United flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), voted by a 99.99% majority with 90.21% participation of members to green light a work stoppage plan unless they receive concessions such as a double-digit pay increase, more flexibility in work hours, improved work rules, job security and retirement benefits.
“We deserve an industry-leading contract. Our strike vote shows that we are willing to do whatever it takes to get the contract we deserve,” said Ken Diaz, president of the United affiliate of the AFA.“We are the face of United Airlines, and without us, no planes take off. As travel begins on Labor Day, United management is reminded of what is at stake if we don’t get this right.”
“United’s management team is giving themselves massive raises while flight attendants are struggling to pay basic bills,” Diaz added.“The 99.99% yes vote is clear evidence that we are united in the fight against corporate greed and ready to fight for our fair share of the profits we generate.”
Kim Montgomery, a flight attendant for 38 years and president of Council 6 of the AFA-CWA, which represents workers at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, said:The mountains Record that United “continues to make a fortune”.
“Our executives get regular raises, while some of us haven’t had a raise in years,” she added. “We have flight attendants who are struggling to make ends meet while our CEOs are on private jets. We want some respect reflected in the contract.”
The AFA said it can now request the 30-day “cooling off period” required by the National Mediation Board (NMB) before the federal agency decides whether to authorize a strike. Unlike unionized U.S. workers, who are covered by the National Labor Relations Board, airline and railroad workers are under the jurisdiction of the NMB, which rarely grants strike permits.
Members of United AFA staged strike marches at 20 U.S. airports on Tuesday after the union election results were announced. Flight attendants chanted slogans such as “United Airlines, you’re worthless, pay your workers what you deserve” and “Delay, delay, delay is not OK.”
United’s flight attendants, who have been working under a variable contract for nearly three years, filed for federal mediation more than eight months ago. Earlier this year, AFA flight attendants at United and other airlines held protests at U.S. airports to draw attention to their demands and put pressure on management. Unionized United pilots also went on strike last year for a better contract.
“We haven’t had a new contract since 2019, which means we haven’t had a raise since 2019,” said a member of the American Airlines AFA in a More Perfect UnionVideo released last year. “We’ve kept this airline running during a pandemic, and all we’re asking for is fair wages. All we’re asking for is an improvement in the quality of life.”
Last month, American Airlines flight attendants and management agreed to a tentative collective bargaining agreement that provides $4.2 billion in pay and benefits, including an immediate 18 percent raise and a starting bonus, with significantly higher increases for some experienced employees.
