The results, announced at a critical time just before the Labor Day travel rush, were announced simultaneously at nearly 20 information pickets at the country's major airports.
“We deserve an industry-leading contract. Our strike vote shows we are willing to do whatever it takes to get the contract we deserve,” said Ken Diaz, president of United's chapter of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA). “We are the face of United Airlines, and planes don't take off without us. As travel begins on Labor Day, United management is reminded of what is at stake if we don't get this done.”
This strike authorization is a historic moment for United flight attendants, who last voted on such action during bankruptcy negotiations in 2005. The move reflects recent trends in the airline industry, where similar votes at American, Alaska, Southwest and other airlines have spurred negotiations.
Key demands from United flight attendants include a significant double-digit increase in base pay, compensation for time worked on the ground, backdated pay to the contract change date, more flexibility in work schedules, job security, retirement benefits and other improvements to work rules.
“United's management team is giving themselves massive raises while flight attendants are struggling to pay their basic bills,” Diaz continued. “The 99.99% yes vote is a clear reminder that we are united in the fight against corporate greed and ready to fight for our fair share of the profits we generate.”
With strike authorization now in place, the AFA could seek clearance from the National Mediation Board (NMB), which would trigger a 30-day “cooling off period” that would precede any strike. The union is poised to implement its Create Havoc Around Our System (CHAOS) strategy, which allows strikes that can range from system-wide disruptions to targeted strikes on specific flights, with little advance notice to management or passengers.
United flight attendants have been working under a variable contract for nearly three years and filed for federal mediation more than eight months ago, further escalating tensions ahead of Labor Day travel.
