United flight attendants vote on strike authorization

United Airlines flight attendants said Tuesday they are currently voting on whether to authorize a strike because negotiations with company management have stalled.

The Association of Flight Attendants, the union that represents United flight attendants, said this was the first time the airline had held such a vote since bankruptcy negotiations in 2005.

“United flight attendants cannot afford to wait for improvements. We deserve an industry-leading contract and are ready to show United management that we will do whatever it takes,” said Ken Diaz, president of United’s AFA subsidiary.

United Airlines did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Despite the vote, a strike is unlikely

Even if United flight attendants vote to strike, that doesn’t mean they can strike immediately. Under the Railroad Labor Code, there is a 30-day cooling-off period before a strike can occur. And even then, the National Mediation Board would have to release United flight attendants from mediation to allow a strike, which is unlikely.

However, the vote reflects the growing frustration among flight attendants in the US. Flight attendants have been demanding better wages and working conditions since the pandemic. One issue in particular was pay upon boarding – most flight attendants are only paid for the work they do on the plane. They receive no compensation for helping passengers board and disembark.

Flight attendants at American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines also voted to strike, but flight attendants at Southwest and Alaska were later able to reach an agreement.

Negotiations among American flight attendants are becoming increasingly tense. The Association of Professional Flight Attendants, the union that represents American flight attendants, recently opened “strike centers” and urged its members to prepare for a strike.

However, the National Mediation Board has not excused American’s flight attendants from the negotiations. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and acting Labor Secretary Julie Su have also attended the negotiations between American management and the flight attendants.

United flight attendants are frustrated by stagnating salaries

In April, United flight attendants protested outside LaGuardia and other airports in the U.S. and U.K. The flight attendants expressed frustration at the protest over CEO Scott Kirby’s salary, which would be around $19 million in 2023. United flight attendants have not received a raise since 2020.

The AFA said ballots for the strike vote would be mailed to 28,000 United flight attendants and that the voting period would begin on August 1 and end on August 28.

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