flight attendants

Tag Archives for flight attendants.

From the Sky to SNAP: How American Airlines Flight Attendants Qualify For Food Stamps

by Gary Leff on December 19, 2023

Dec 19 2023

On Monday I wrote about the struggles of American Airlines flight attendants, especially junior crew, who have seen their wages eroded by inflation and whose last pay increase was in January 2019.

Some report lacking gas money to get to the airport, being unable to afford meals (and living off of snacks from the first class snack basket) and not being able to afford Christmas presents. But there’s a lot of confusion over how flight attendants are paid and how much they work.

American Airlines Flight Attendants: Can’t Afford Gas, Live Off Stealing First Class Snacks

by Gary Leff on December 18, 2023

Dec 18 2023

Flight attendants at American Airlines, frustrated by lack of progress on a new contract, have gone online to commiserate and share how much they’re struggling day to day with a raise. Some don’t have money for gas to get to the airport, or to pay their bills and buy food so they make up for it pocketing snacks from the first class snack basket. Some of the stories are heart wrenching.

Trend Alert: Another American Airlines Crew Creates Makeshift Barrier To Keep Away Passengers

by Gary Leff on December 15, 2023

Dec 15 2023

In October, an American Airlines crew created a makeshift barrier out of seat belts to keep passengers away.

Despite the broad attention that the crew of this flight generated, it has happened again on American Airlines.

Possible Fraud In Southwest Airlines Flight Attendant Contract Vote, Union To Hold Vote Over

by Gary Leff on December 13, 2023

Dec 13 2023

It turns out that the union no longer has confidence in the integrity of the ballot. They’ve discovered vulnerabilities that would have allowed the vote to be manipulated, and errors that may have failed to tally some votes. And they’re going to hold the vote over.

Union Demands United Airlines Pay Flight Attendants When They Aren’t Flying

by Gary Leff on December 9, 2023

Dec 09 2023

United’s flight attendants union – the same union that downplayed boarding pay at Spirit – wants to one-up Delta, American, and SkyWest.

They want boarding pay like Delta, and like what’s been offered at American (50% pay), but they also want “Ground Time Pay” (50% pay).

Scandalous: British Airways Told Flight Attendants To Wear See-Through Blouses

by Gary Leff on December 8, 2023

Dec 08 2023

British Airways retracted their guidance requiring female cabin crew to wear white bras to go with the new sheer blouse included with their uniform after union objections. This follows similar past controversies over uniform-related ‘sexualization’ and contrasts with extreme practices at airlines like Malindo Air and Kuwait Airways, where female applicants were asked to disrobe during interviews.

Government Tells American Airlines Flight Attendants They Have To Work Christmas Flights

by Gary Leff on November 29, 2023

Nov 29 2023

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants is railing against the National Mediation Board and its decision. But the board is dominated by Biden administration picks (2-1), and includes a former lawyer for a flight attendants union. This is not a group biased against labor, or against cabin crew.

They weren’t going to hand the Biden administration a holiday hot potato heading into holiday travel and re-election, though.

United Airlines Flight Attendants Union Warns Crew Not To Give Food Away Free In Coach

by Gary Leff on November 22, 2023

Nov 22 2023

The AFA-CWA union, which represents United flight attendants, is reminding its members that under the Railway Labor Act it is illegal to engage in ‘self help’ (not just striking, but unilateral efforts to hurt the company) before being released from negotiations by the National Mediation Board.

AFA-CWA tells cabin crew that they cannot coordinate refusing to pick up trips, call for their colleagues to “work to rule” or to refuse to perform any duties, as well as “refusing to charge customers for buy-on-board products.”

Will American Airlines Flight Attendants Strike This Christmas? Inside the Labor Dispute

by Gary Leff on November 21, 2023

Nov 21 2023

American Airlines flight attendants have requested the National Mediation Board to release them from negotiations, hinting at a possible strike that could disrupt holiday travel, although the union and airline have differing views on the progress of contract talks. There is no set timeline for the Board’s decision and political considerations influence in light of the upcoming presidential election.

On Monday, American Airlines Flight Attendants Will Announce Plan To Strike Over Christmas

by Gary Leff on November 18, 2023

Nov 18 2023

American Airlines flight attendants have been in protracted negotiations over a new contract. Cabin crew voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. The airline and union met for federal mediation talks on Friday, and the union set that as a deadline for significant progress. They said that after the meeting the union board would hold a strike vote. The union plans to make an announcement on Monday. This afternoon, your APFA Negotiating Committee met with your Board of Directors to brief them on the status of negotiations, including the next step: a request to the National Mediation Board to release us into a thirty-day cooling-off period. On Monday, November 20th, we will communicate information regarding this week’s negotiations and next steps, including the APFA Board of Director’s action on the request to the NMB to be…