Flight Attendants at United Airlines Vote 99.99% to Authorize a Strike

Attendants' Association of United Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA) Moves Forward with Strike Authorization After United Airlines Fails to Meet Attendants' Demands

99.99% of United's 25,000 Flight Attendants Voted to Authorize a Strike After Years of Negotiations

The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA) announced on Tuesday, April 19, 2023, that 99.99% of its 25,000 members at United Airlines had voted to authorize a strike. This vote comes after years of failed negotiations between the union and the airline over pay, benefits, and working conditions.

The union has been in negotiations with United since 2019, but the two sides have been unable to reach an agreement. The AFA-CWA is seeking a new contract that includes pay increases, improved benefits, and more flexible work rules.

United Airlines has said that it is disappointed with the vote and that it remains committed to reaching an agreement with the AFA-CWA. The airline has also said that it is prepared to operate its schedule normally if a strike occurs.

Key Issues in the Negotiations

• Pay: The union is seeking a pay increase of 20%, while United has offered a 10% increase.
• Benefits: The union is seeking improvements to health insurance and retirement benefits, while United has offered modest improvements.
• Work rules: The union is seeking more flexible work rules, while United has said that it needs to maintain current work rules to ensure operational efficiency.

What's Next?

The AFA-CWA has not yet set a strike date, but it has given United Airlines a 10-day notice that it intends to strike. If a strike occurs, it would be the first major airline strike in the United States since 1997.

Conclusion

The authorization of a strike by United Airlines flight attendants is a significant development in the ongoing labor dispute between the union and the airline. It remains to be seen whether the two sides will be able to reach an agreement before a strike occurs, but the vote by the AFA-CWA shows that the flight attendants are united in their demands for a better contract.

If a strike does occur, it would have a major impact on United Airlines and its passengers. The airline has said that it is prepared to operate its schedule normally, but it is likely that there would be delays and cancellations.

Passengers who are planning to travel on United Airlines should be aware of the potential for a strike and should make alternative travel arrangements if necessary.