United Airlines flight attendants have voted to strike in hopes of having their demands met, creating chaos on Labor Day, when 17 million people are expected to flock to the airport.
The workers, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants, are demanding improvements to the job, including significant pay increases, compensation for non-flight work time, flexibility in working hours and job security.
To further their cause, those in attendance voted 99.99 percent in favor of a strike on August 28.
Ken Diaz, president of the United chapter of AFA, said in a proposition: ‘We deserve an industry-leading contract. Our strike vote shows we are prepared to do whatever it takes to get the contract we deserve.
Today, flight attendants were spotted outside Newark Liberty International Airport, one of United’s main airports, holding protest signs
‘We are the face of United Airlines and planes don’t take off without us.
“As Labor Day travel days begin, United leadership realizes what is at stake if we don’t get this done.
‘United’s management team is giving themselves huge raises while flight attendants struggle to pay basic bills.
“The 99.99 percent yes vote is a clear reminder that we are united in the fight against corporate greed and prepared to fight for a fair share of the profits we create.”
Today, flight attendants were spotted outside Newark Liberty International Airport, one of United’s main airports, holding protest signs.
The workers, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants, are demanding job improvements, including significant pay increases, compensation for non-flight working hours, schedule flexibility and job security.
Melissa Chipchak, a United flight attendant, said: “We’re here to fight for an industry-leading contract and industry-leading pay that was promised to us years ago.”
Melissa Chipchak, a flight attendant for United, said NBC: ‘We are here to fight for an industry-leading contract, and for the best salary in the industry, as we were promised years ago.
“A lot of people don’t know that flight attendants don’t get paid for the entire time they’re on the plane. They only get paid for the flight time when the door closes.”
United Airlines later said in a proposition: ‘To be clear, there is no work stoppage or labor disruption. Flight attendants who are not at work are exercising their right to hold an informational picket.
‘Federal law prohibits a strike until there has been a lengthy process, which also requires a waiver of mediation. This waiver can only be granted by the National Mediation Council.’
After this week, the union may withdraw from the federally mandated negotiations.
After this week, the union may withdraw from the negotiations mandated by the federal government
The union is now said to be asking the National Mediation Council to grant them a 30-day cooling-off period, which would set a potential deadline for a strike.
The union would now ask the National Mediation Council to grant them a 30-day cooling-off period, which would set a deadline for a possible strike.
But United Airlines’ cabin crew aren’t the first to demand better working conditions.
Last Christmas, the union representing 26,000 American Airlines flight attendants threatened to strike again during the peak travel season, claiming the airline was blocking contract negotiations.
The Association of Professional Flight Attendants had given AA a Nov. 17 deadline to take “significant and meaningful steps toward reaching an agreement” on a new deal.
Their demands were met and in July 2024, American Airlines and the union representing cabin crew announced that they had reached an agreement on a new contract, including pay increases.
After the agreement was announced, President Joe Biden said the new deal would help avoid a strike that would harm the U.S. economy and consumers.