United Airlines flight attendants are preparing for a potential strike, announcing on Tuesday that they will hold a vote on a mass work stoppage. This decision comes as their contract negotiations approach their fourth year.
“United Flight Attendants can’t afford to wait for improvements,” stated Ken Diaz, president of the United Airlines chapter of the Association of Flight Attendants union, which represents 28,000 members. “We deserve an industry-leading contract, and we are ready to show United management that we will do whatever it takes. There is no time to waste. Our negotiations are at a critical state, the issues are clear, and the time to act is now.”
The current contract for United’s flight attendants expired in 2021. According to the airline’s most recent annual report, they are the only unionized employee group at United without a contract. Drawing parallels with American Airlines, whose unionized flight attendants have also been operating without a current contract, United’s flight attendants believe the threat of a strike could expedite a resolution.
Voting is scheduled from August 1 to August 28. Similar votes at American and Alaska Airlines were approved almost unanimously by their members. Although several steps are required before an actual strike could occur, the possibility remains during federally mediated bargaining sessions.
The flight attendants are seeking “double-digit” wage increases among other demands. United Airlines did not immediately respond to a request for comment. However, during an October earnings call, CFO Michael Leskinen acknowledged that some pay increases are expected.
“Looking ahead to 2024, we feel good about the core fundamentals of our expenses,” Leskinen said. “However, we are facing sizable headwinds with labor and the expectation of a new flight attendant agreement.”