NEWARK, NJ — Flight attendants with United Airlines have cleared a takeoff lane for a potential nationwide strike as contract talks with their employer drag on.
On Wednesday, unionized flight attendants represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike if they can’t reach a deal with United Airlines management.
According to a statement from their union, the flight attendants are demanding a “significant double-digit base pay increase,” pay for time at work on the ground, retroactive pay to the amendable date, schedule flexibility and work rule improvements, and better job security and retirement benefits.
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The flight attendants filed for federal mediation over eight months ago, and have been working under an amendable contract for nearly three years. But they’re losing their patience, spokespeople said – and they’re ready to take action.
Out of the 90 percent of union members who took part in the strike authorization vote, about 99.99 percent voted yes.
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The results of the vote were announced simultaneously on nearly 20 picket lines at airports across the country, including Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey (watch video footage below).
United has a corporate headquarters in Chicago and maintains a hub at Newark Airport.
According to the AFA, this is the first time since the 2005 bankruptcy negotiations that flight attendants at United have voted on a strike authorization.
A United Airlines spokesperson gave Patch the following statement when reached for comment about Wednesday’s vote:
“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 been actively engaged in these negotiations facilitated by the federal mediator requested by the union. We remain eager to reach an agreement.”
“To be clear, there is no work stoppage or labor disruption,” United spokespeople added. “Instead, off-duty flight attendants are exercising their right to conduct an informational picket. Federal law bars a strike until after a lengthy process that includes a release from mediation, which can only be granted by the National Mediation Board.”
So what comes next? According to a statement from the AFA:
“Now that members have authorized a strike, the union could request a release from the National Mediation Board leading to a 30-day ‘cooling off’ period and strike deadline. AFA has a trademarked strike strategy known as CHAOS or ‘Create Havoc Around Our System.’ With 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,” urged Ken Diaz, president of the United chapter of AFA.
“Our strike vote shows we’re ready to do whatever it takes to reach the contract we deserve,” Diaz said. “We are the face of United Airlines and planes don’t take off without us.”
“The United management team gives themselves massive compensation increases while flight attendants struggle to pay basic bills,” Diaz added. “The 99.99% yes vote is a clear reminder that we are unified in the fight against corporate greed and ready to fight for our fair share of the profits we create.”
Diaz said the strike vote – which takes place a week ahead of 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 travel through the three airports from Aug. 30 to Sept. 3. The prediction represents an increase of 3 percent from the previous high recorded for the travel period in 2023, and an 8 percent jump compared to the same period in pre-pandemic 2019.
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