United Airlines flight attendants have recently voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike, with more than 90% of union members in United’s chapter of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA participating in the vote and supporting it nearly unanimously. This strong show of support for a potential strike indicates the level of dissatisfaction among the flight attendants regarding their current labor situation.
While the vote to authorize a strike is a significant development, it does not mean that a strike is imminent. The Railway Labor Act, which governs labor disputes in the airline industry, requires several additional steps to be taken before United flight attendants could actually go on strike. This includes obtaining a formal release by the National Mediation Board (NMB), a process that could take time and involve further negotiations between the union and the airline.
It is worth noting that strike authorization votes have been used as a negotiating tactic in recent labor negotiations with other major airlines such as Alaska, Southwest, and American. These airlines have successfully navigated through similar situations, with Southwest and Alaska reaching new labor deals with their flight attendants, and American entering into a tentative agreement with its flight attendants. This context provides some insight into the potential outcomes of the ongoing negotiations between United and the AFA.
The AFA has put forth a list of demands, including a double-digit base pay increase, retroactive pay to the amendable date, pay for time at work on the ground, more schedule flexibility, and other contract upgrades. These demands highlight the grievances that flight attendants have with the current compensation and working conditions, particularly in comparison to the increases in compensation received by the United management team.
The recent vote by United Airlines flight attendants to authorize a strike reflects the growing discontent among the workforce. While the road to an actual strike is long and uncertain, the level of support for such action indicates the seriousness of the situation. The ongoing negotiations between United and the union will be crucial in determining the future course of action and whether a resolution can be reached that satisfies the demands of the flight attendants.