union

Tag Archives for union.

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.

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).

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…

American Airlines Flight Attendants Will Seek Approval To Strike Over Christmas

by Gary Leff on October 24, 2023

Oct 24 2023

American Airlines flight attendants are losing their patience in contract negotiations with the airline. They’ve already voted near-unanimously to authorize a strike. There’s a specific procedure that airline unions have to go through in order to strike, and they’re about to start the clock – on a timeline that could have them walking out over peak Christmas travel.

Red Alert: American Airlines Flight Attendants Confront CEO in WAR Shirts

by Gary Leff on October 23, 2023

Oct 23 2023

After the American Airlines earnings call, tensions rose during an all-employee meeting with questions centered on union contracts for flight attendants and reservations agents. The flight attendants union, demanding a 50% wage increase and hinting at potential strikes, criticized the company’s treatment, while CEO Robert Isom responded by emphasizing their intent to offer industry-leading compensation and benefits.