CHICAGO — The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) International President Sara Nelson and United AFA President Ken Diaz released the following statement on United Airlines’ stock buyback announcement:
“United Airlines management just made a huge mistake! Stock buybacks were banned in connection with COVID relief and it allowed airlines to invest in the operation and new contracts. They’ve signed new contracts with all employee groups but Flight Attendants. Right now 35,000 Boeing Machinists are on strike because shareholder capitalism has nearly destroyed this once great pillar of aviation.
“Stock buybacks are a sickness that hurts workers and consumers alike. The airline industry was rid of them, but a greedhead hedge fund broke the seal in its efforts to gain control of Southwest Airlines and now United Airlines management is following their lead to manipulate the stock and cheat workers and passengers.
“United Airlines Flight Attendants voted 99.99% to authorize a strike vote as management has delayed negotiations at every turn. It’s well past time for Scott Kirby to send decision makers to the table and stop the delay tactics. The company currently has concessions on the table when no other work groups at any airline have agreed to concessions. That money United just promised Wall Street belongs to Flight Attendants who worked throughout the pandemic and during this taxing recovery for all of us on the frontlines.
“United management could end the games and agree to the contract Flight Attendants have earned tomorrow. But instead, they are choosing to jump back in the greed pool with this century’s robber barons. Make no mistake, United Airlines Flight Attendants are ready to do whatever it takes to get the contract we deserve.
“We will take this message directly to executives at United Airlines Headquarters at Willis Tower on Thursday. It’s time for United to pay us or face CHAOS™.”
