United Airlines Flight Attendants Dismiss Tentative Contract; Union Conducts Survey

CHICAGO– Flight attendants at United Airlines recently voted against a proposed labor contract, with 71% opting to reject the deal after long negotiations.

The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA), which represents the airline’s cabin crew, is now gathering feedback from its members to understand the reasons for the rejection as they prepare to return to negotiations in December 2025.

United Attendants’ Union Review

With nearly 92% of United Airlines flight attendants participating in the vote, there was significant engagement among the workforce.

Even though union leaders touted the proposal as “industry-leading” compared to recent agreements at American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, the majority chose not to ratify it.

The AFA-CWA is currently conducting surveys among flight attendants to uncover their primary concerns. There’s a prevailing belief among some crew members that rejecting the first agreement may lead to better terms in future negotiations.

This trend isn’t new; flight attendants across the industry, including American Airlines and Alaska Airlines, have similarly turned down initial offers, later approving revised contracts.

Union representatives at United have cautioned that such strategies do not always lead to more favorable outcomes, emphasizing that sometimes restructuring is simply a redistribution of contract value, rather than an increase.

Survey Findings and Key Issues

The survey aims to clarify why the vote turned out as it did. A major concern that is expected to come up again is compensation related to ground duties.

Currently, United flight attendants are paid only when the aircraft is in motion, specifically from pushback to landing. Time spent on boarding, deplaning, or transitioning between flights isn’t compensated.

Initially, the union advocated for complete ground duty pay but later settled for a reduced pay arrangement for boarding time. This compromise has led to dissatisfaction among many members, especially following a notable strike by Air Canada flight attendants.

Some feel that the union did not adequately explain the decision to abandon the broader demand for full ground duty compensation. Consequently, there’s rising frustration about working hours without pay, which has been further highlighted by reports from various sources.

Next Steps in Negotiations

The bargaining process has now entered federal mediation, with the next negotiation session set for December 9, 2025, in Chicago (ORD).

This upcoming round is expected to last four days, with additional meetings already scheduled for January, February, and March 2026.

These discussions will be crucial in determining whether United Airlines flight attendants can achieve better pay, improved working conditions, and appropriate recognition of their unpaid ground duties. Union negotiators will utilize survey feedback to tailor their demands before the next set of negotiations.