NEWARK, NJ — United Airlines flight attendants have cleared the starting line for a possible nationwide strike as labor negotiations with their employer drag on.
On Wednesday, flight attendants represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) voted overwhelmingly to go on strike if they cannot reach an agreement with United Airlines management.
According to a statement from their union, the flight attendants are demanding a “significant double-digit increase in basic salary,” compensation for time worked on the ground, backdated pay up to the change date, more flexible rosters and improvements to working rules, as well as more job security and pension benefits.
The flight attendants applied for placement through the federal government over eight months ago and have been working under an amendable contract for almost three years. But they are slowly losing patience, say spokespeople – and are ready to take action.
Of the 90 percent of union members who participated in the strike authorization vote, approximately 99.99 percent voted yes.
The results of the vote were announced simultaneously at nearly 20 picket lines at airports across the country, including Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. (watch the video footage below).
United is headquartered in Chicago and has a hub at Newark Airport.
According to AFA, this is the first time United flight attendants have voted to authorize a strike since bankruptcy negotiations in 2005.
When asked for comment on Wednesday’s vote, a United Airlines spokesperson gave Patch the following statement:
“We continue to work toward an industry-leading agreement for our flight attendants, including negotiations this week and every month through November. Both sides have actively participated in these negotiations, which have been facilitated by the federal mediator requested by the union. We remain committed to reaching an agreement.”
“To be clear, this is not a work stoppage or work disruption,” United spokespeople added. “Instead, the off-duty flight attendants are exercising their right to conduct an informational strike. Federal law prohibits a strike only after a lengthy process that includes a release from mediation, which can only be granted by the National Mediation Board.”
So what happens next? According to a statement from the AFA:
“Now that members have approved a strike, the union could seek clearance from the National Mediation Board, which results in a 30-day ‘cooling off’ period and a strike notice period. AFA has a proprietary strike strategy known as CHAOS, or ‘Create Havoc Around Our System.’ Under CHAOS, a strike could affect the entire system or a single flight. The union decides when, where and how to strike, without notice to management or passengers.”
“We deserve an industry-leading contract,” said Ken Diaz, president of the United branch of the AFA.
“Our strike vote shows that we are willing to do whatever it takes to get the contract we deserve,” Diaz said. “We are the face of United Airlines and without us, no planes will take off.”
“The United management team is giving themselves massive raises while flight attendants are struggling to pay their basic bills,” Diaz added. “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.”
Diaz said the strike vote – which comes a week before Labor Day – is a sign of “what’s at stake if we don’t get this done.”
According to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which manages Newark, JFK and LaGuardia airports, nearly 2.5 million passengers are expected to pass through the three airports from August 30 to September 3. The forecast represents a 3 percent increase over the previous peak for the 2023 travel period and an 8 percent increase compared to the same period in 2019 before the pandemic.
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