Flight Attendants at United Airlines Vote for Strike Authorization

(Reuters) – Flight attendants at United Airlines have voted in favor of a strike authorization, according to the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA on Wednesday.

Over 90% of the flight attendants participated, with 99.99% of the votes in favor of a strike authorization, the union stated. This marks the first time since the 2005 bankruptcy negotiations that United flight attendants have voted on strike authorization.

More than 28,000 flight attendants of the Chicago-based carrier, affiliated with the AFA, have been negotiating for a double-digit base pay increase, higher pay for work hours (including on-ground duties), retroactive pay, schedule flexibility, and improvements in work rules.

Ken Diaz, president of the United chapter of the AFA, commented, “As Labor Day travel begins, United management is reminded what’s at stake if we don’t get this done.”

This vote comes amid new contract negotiations in the U.S. and Canada, where cabin crews at various carriers are also seeking compensation for on-ground duties, such as boarding passengers and waiting between flights.

Last year, United’s flight attendants sought federal mediation through the National Mediation Board (NMB). The union noted that it could now request a release from the NMB, which would lead to a 30-day “cooling off” period and establish a strike deadline.

While the strike has been authorized, flight attendants will not be able to walk off the job until they receive permission from the board, which must determine that both parties are at an impasse and further negotiations would be unproductive.