United Airlines flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants, moved closer to a strike on Wednesday after the union announced that 99.99% of soldiers voted to authorize a strike.
90% of United Airlines flight attendants took part in the vote.
According to the union, the flight attendants’ strike demands include a significant double-digit increase in basic salary, compensation for non-flight work, more flexible working hours and improved working rules, job security, pensions and more.
The historic vote marked the first time United flight attendants had authorized a strike since the airline entered bankruptcy negotiations in 2005.
However, there will not be an immediate strike and, despite the vote, there will be no immediate disruption to flight operations.
Experts say it’s highly unlikely that United flight attendants will actually walk out of the job. Before a strike can happen, a number of steps must be completed, and the president and Congress have the power to delay or stop an airline strike.
“To be clear, this is not a work stoppage or work disruption,” United said in a statement to ABC News on Wednesday. “The off-duty flight attendants are simply exercising their right to conduct an information strike.”
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The results of the strike authorization vote were announced while nearly 20 information pickets were seen at airports across the country.
“We deserve an industry-leading contract. Our strike vote shows we are willing to do whatever it takes to get the contract we deserve,” Ken Diaz, president of United’s affiliate of the Association of Flight Attendants, said in a statement Wednesday.
“We are the face of United Airlines, and without us, no planes take off. As travel begins on Labor Day, United management will be reminded of what is at stake if we don’t get this right,” he added.
After this week, the union broke off negotiations with the national executive board. It will now ask the National Mediation Board to put it on a 30-day “cooling off period” that would set a possible strike deadline.
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“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 clear evidence that we are united in the fight against corporate greed and are ready to fight for our fair share of the profits we generate.”
Competing airlines such as American, Alaska, Southwest and others have voted on similar strike authorizations.
United Airlines flight attendants vote to strike: Will it impact travel? Originally published on abcnews.go.com
