NEWARK, NJ \u2014 Flight attendants with United Airlines have cleared a takeoff lane for a potential nationwide strike as contract talks with their employer drag on.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, unionized flight attendants represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike if they can\u2019t reach a deal with United Airlines management.<\/p>\n
According to a statement from their union, the flight attendants are demanding a \u201csignificant double-digit base pay increase,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019re losing their patience, spokespeople said \u2013 and they\u2019re ready to take action.<\/p>\n Out of the 90 percent of union members who took part in the strike authorization vote, about 99.99 percent voted yes.<\/p>\n 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).<\/strong><\/p>\n United has a corporate headquarters in Chicago and maintains a hub at Newark Airport.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n A United Airlines spokesperson gave Patch the following statement when reached for comment about Wednesday\u2019s vote:<\/p>\n \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cTo be clear, there is no work stoppage or labor disruption,\u201d United spokespeople added. \u201cInstead, 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.\u201d<\/p>\n So what comes next? According to a statement from the AFA:<\/p>\n \u201cNow that members have authorized a strike, the union could request a release from the National Mediation Board leading to a 30-day \u2018cooling off\u2019 period and strike deadline. AFA has a trademarked strike strategy known as CHAOS or \u2018Create Havoc Around Our System.\u2019 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.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cWe deserve an industry-leading contract,\u201d urged Ken Diaz, president of the United chapter of AFA.<\/p>\n \u201cOur strike vote shows we\u2019re ready to do whatever it takes to reach the contract we deserve,\u201d Diaz said. \u201cWe are the face of United Airlines and planes don\u2019t take off without us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe United management team gives themselves massive compensation increases while flight attendants struggle to pay basic bills,\u201d Diaz added. \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Diaz said the strike vote \u2013 which takes place a week ahead of Labor Day \u2013 is a sign of \u201cwhat\u2019s at stake if we don\u2019t get this done.\u201d<\/p>\n According to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey \u2013 which manages Newark, JFK and LaGuardia airports \u2013 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.<\/p>\n \n Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site. <\/em>Don\u2019t forget to visit the Patch Newark Facebook page.<\/em><\/p>\n \n Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.<\/p>\nFind out what's happening in Newarkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.<\/h2>\n
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