CHICAGO- United Airlines (UA) flight attendants and their advocates staged a protest outside Chicago O’Hare Airport (ORD) on Thursday (April 11, 2024), calling for improved wages and working conditions as part of a global day of action.
Approximately 200 United flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), gathered with signs and rallied outside Terminals 1 and 2. Similar pickets occurred at 16 other airports, spanning from New York to Los Angeles, Boston to Cleveland, and even as far as London and Guam.
United Flight Attendants Picket
The demonstration comes in the wake of reports that top executives at the Chicago-based airline received substantial salary increases.
United CEO Scott Kirby’s compensation totaled $18.5 million in 2023, up from nearly $9.8 million the previous year, as disclosed in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Ken Diaz, President of the AFA United Master Executive Council, remarked,
“If the airline is allocating funds for substantial compensation boosts for executives, we anticipate receiving similar treatment. United flight attendants are the backbone of this airline, and management must engage with us promptly with an offer that acknowledges our indispensable contribution.”
According to the AFA, flight attendants and United management are currently engaged in their second round of federally-mediated negotiations. The union sought intervention from federal mediators after negotiations remained deadlocked for two years. Contracts for United flight attendants became eligible for revision two years ago.
The AFA highlighted a contract reached last year between United Pilots and the company and a tentative agreement between Southwest Airlines and the Transportation Workers Union Local 556.
United pilots ratified a new four-year contract valued at over $10 billion in September of last year, according to their union. The Air Line Pilots Association had previously stated that the agreement would lead to pay increases of up to 40% over the course of four years.
United has acknowledged the ongoing discussions with the AFA and the federal mediator, which commenced last month.
Airlines Remarks
A United spokesperson stated, “We are committed to achieving an agreement that sets the industry standard. Our negotiations are ongoing this week, with additional sessions planned later this month.”
The most recent demonstration follows a February rally at O’Hare, where over 150 airline employees and supporters gathered for the Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action.
Thousands also participated in picketing at airports across the U.S. on that day. At that time, more than two-thirds of U.S. flight attendants from 24 airlines, including United, American Airlines (AA), and Southwest Airlines (WN), were engaged in contract negotiations.
Pilots told to Go on Unpaid Leave
These labor discussions coincide with United facing delays in receiving new aircraft from Boeing, which is grappling with production challenges. In early April, United requested its pilots to take time off in May due to these delays.
“Because of the recent delays in Boeing deliveries, our projected flight hours have been scaled back, and we are providing our pilots with voluntary programs for the month of May to address surplus staffing,” stated United spokesperson Leslie Scott.
The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) noted that United offers short-term leaves and unpaid time off, emphasizing that participation is optional.
In a communication to pilots obtained by the Associated Press, United indicated its anticipation of making similar requests throughout the summer and potentially extending into the fall.
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