United Airlines flight attendants have voted overwhelmingly to strike.
More than 90 percent of union members of United's branch of the Association of Flight Attendants (CWA) participated in the vote and supported the proposal almost unanimously.
The vote does not mean a strike is imminent, however. Under the Railroad Labor Act, which governs strikes in the airline industry, several steps would still need to be taken before United flight attendants could walk off the job, including formal clearance from the National Mediation Board (NMB).
Still, a strike authorization raises the stakes in the official mediation sessions currently underway between United and the union.
Alaska, Southwest and American flight attendants used strike votes as a negotiating tactic in recent rounds of collective bargaining. Southwest and Alaska have since reached new collective bargaining agreements with their flight attendants, while American has reached a tentative agreement with its flight attendants.
The collective agreement between United and the AFA has been subject to change since August 2021; the union had already filed a mediation request more than eight months ago.
In a statement, United stressed that the vote does not equate to a work stoppage. The airline said it continues to work toward an agreement with its 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,” the airline said.
AFA is demanding a double-digit increase in base salary, retroactive pay to the change date, pay for on-site time, more flexibility in working hours and other contract improvements.
“United's management team is giving themselves massive raises while flight attendants are struggling to pay basic costs,” said Ken Diaz, president of United's AFA affiliate. “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.”
