United Flight Attendants Make Progress in 4-Year Negotiations
United Airlines Flight Attendants Negotiations: Progress After Years of Talks
Chicago – Contract negotiations between United Airlines (UA) and its flight attendant union are finally nearing a conclusion after four years of intense discussions. Ken Diaz, President of the United chapter of the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), recently shared that significant progress is being made, bringing renewed hope to the airline’s 28,000 flight attendants.
On March 19, United flight attendants demonstrated at 19 airports around the globe, from Guam (GUM) to London (LCY), showcasing their determination for better working conditions. Diaz, who participated in the Chicago (ORD) demonstration, expressed optimism that a tentative contract agreement could be reached within months.
United Flight Attendants Negotiations
The ongoing negotiations have seen a shift in momentum, with Diaz noting, “We are just starting to see United get serious at the table. This management team has delayed, delayed, delayed. They are starting to take some of their concessions off the table.” As discussions progress into scheduling negotiations, he believes they could wrap up soon, leading to discussions about economic terms.
The economic aspects typically represent the concluding phase of labor negotiations. All talks between AFA and United are occurring in Chicago (ORD), with sessions scheduled for the weeks of April 7 and April 21, followed by three additional weeks in May.
A spokesperson for United Airlines responded positively, stating, “We’re having productive negotiations with the AFA, including last week, and we continue to find common ground. We’re eager to reach the industry-leading contract our flight attendants deserve.”
Flight Attendants Pay & Other Issues
The current pay rates for United flight attendants were established in 2016, with the contract becoming amendable in August 2021. Competing airlines such as American (AA) and Alaska (AS) have already implemented new post-pandemic contract agreements. Diaz pointed out a significant pay gap, stating, “We’re over 20% less in pay than American is right now.” While United is performing well financially, they rank fifth in flight attendant pay.
Diaz is hopeful that the ongoing negotiations will address this pay discrepancy, emphasizing that “United knows what the wage scale out there is,” and recalling a promise from United CEO Scott Kirby to ensure competitive compensation. The specifics of retroactive pay remain a point of negotiation.
Additionally, unresolved issues persist regarding reserve time and boarding pay. Currently, United places flight attendants on 24-hour reserve periods, while other airlines limit this to 12-14 hours. Diaz noted that United management has recently begun discussing boarding pay for pre-departure time, indicating a willingness to negotiate on this front.
After a 99% vote in favor of strike authorization in August, Diaz reiterated, “We don’t want to strike: we want an agreement.” Positive developments, such as increased meeting frequency with management, have fostered hope for a resolution.
For more information about United Airlines and its flight attendants, check out the AFA website and stay updated on the latest developments.
Conclusion
As negotiations between United Airlines and its flight attendants progress, both sides appear optimistic about reaching a fair agreement. Readers are encouraged to share their thoughts on the ongoing negotiations and check out our related articles for more insights on airline industry labor relations.
