- The Washington Times - Tuesday, July 16, 2024

The union representing United Airlines flight attendants announced Tuesday that its members will vote on strike authorization if a new contract isn’t reached. 

The Association of Flight Attendants confirmed that if a contract isn’t locked in by the end of July, the union will vote on whether to walk out.

“We deserve an industry-leading contract, and we are ready to show United management that we will do whatever it takes,” Ken Diaz, the United chapter’s president of the AFA, said in a statement. “There is no time to waste. Our negotiations are at a critical state, the issues are clear, and the time to act is now.”

The union applied for federal mediation in late 2023, with United flight attendants working with an expired contract for nearly three years. 

If a deal is not reached, strike authorization ballots will be mailed to all 28,000 United AFA members, and voting will take place Aug. 1-28. 

The union is asking for a double-digit pay increase for all flight attendants, plus improved workplace security, retirement benefits and scheduling. 

Alaskan and Southwest Airlines flight attendant unions issued strike threats during negotiations and secured contracts before walkouts ensued. The American Airlines flight attendant union issued a similar strike threat, but negotiations are ongoing. 

• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.

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