The recent vote by United Airlines flight attendants, with over 90% of union members supporting a strike, has raised concerns within the airline industry. However, despite the overwhelming support for strike authorization, the possibility of an actual strike is not immediate. The Railway Labor Act dictates the process for strike actions in the airline industry, requiring several steps to be followed before flight attendants could potentially walk off the job.
The use of strike authorization votes as a negotiating tactic is not unprecedented in the airline industry. Alaska, Southwest, and American flight attendants have all employed similar strategies in recent labor negotiations. While Southwest and Alaska have successfully concluded new labor agreements with their flight attendants, American has entered into a tentative agreement with its union members.
The labor agreement between United Airlines and the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) has been open for amendment since August 2021. However, the union filed for mediation over eight months ago, indicating ongoing challenges in reaching a resolution. Despite the strike authorization vote, United Airlines emphasized that the vote does not automatically translate to a work stoppage.
The AFA’s demands include a double-digit base pay increase, retroactive pay, compensation for time spent on the ground, enhanced schedule flexibility, and other contract improvements. The union has highlighted disparities in compensation between flight attendants and the management team, criticizing the lack of financial support for essential living expenses.
While the strike authorization vote by United Airlines flight attendants has escalated tensions during formal mediation sessions, both parties remain committed to reaching a mutually beneficial agreement. The negotiation process facilitated by a federal mediator is ongoing, with scheduled discussions through November. The outcome of these discussions will determine the future working conditions and compensation for United Airlines flight attendants, shaping the airline industry’s labor landscape.