Washington, D.C. — Thousands of Flight Attendants demonstrated together at more than 30 airports around the world on Thursday, June 13 to demand new record contracts to get our fair share of the profits and control of our time. 80,000 Flight Attendants are currently in contract negotiations across the U.S. aviation industry.
Union Flight Attendant negotiators at Alaska, United, and American were at the negotiating table this week to reach agreements that Flight Attendants can ratify. Flight Attendants from Air Wisconsin, Frontier, Omni, PSA, and other airlines are also in hot contract negotiations with dates at the table in the coming weeks. Flight Attendants also picketed to call attention to the need to end the two-tier system in aviation that keeps regional Flight Attendants drastically underpaid.
“Flight Attendants cannot afford to wait any longer for these agreements and neither can the airlines,” said Sara Nelson, International President of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, representing nearly 55,000 Flight Attendants at 20 airlines. “We’re done with hollow platitudes about how much Flight Attendants are ‘appreciated.’ Airlines need to get serious and reach agreements with us immediately. If not, we’re ready for next steps under the Railway Labor Act.”
Not two weeks ago, airlines praised Flight Attendants on International Flight Attendant Appreciation Day:
- United CEO Scott Kirby said: “They are the face of United and I’m proud of how they make our customers feel on every flight, every day.”
- American CEO Robert Isom said: “Our team of more than 27,000 flight attendants goes the extra mile for our customers. Their dedication to safety and customer service sets them apart.”
- Alaska said: “We’re celebrating our remarkable inflight crew, who go above and beyond for our guests every day. For everything you are, and everything you do — thank you.”
“Get real guys, put it in the contract,” Nelson said. While airlines boasted record passenger numbers and revenue, contract negotiations for Flight Attendants have been ongoing for years. Flight Attendants at airports around the world called out management’s delay tactics and warned against further delays.
Yesterday, 32 Senators called on the National Mediation Board to end delays and allow airline workers to strike if agreements can’t be reached, followed by a House letter with 170 Members of Congress.
