union

Tag Archives for union.

Some American Airlines Pilots Organizing Illegal Job Action To Hurt The Company

by Gary Leff on May 15, 2023

May 15 2023

The pilot union has taken a strike authorization vote, but isn’t legally permitted to strike because they haven’t received federal permission to do so (and that would only come after a 30 day ‘cooling off period’). Pilots are getting frustrated over the time it is taking to get to a contract, though the airline has publicly committed to substantial raises.

Some pilots do not want to wait, and are suggesting taking matters into their own hands. The mistake they’re making, though, is putting this in writing – and the union, therefore, has taken steps to disavow it.

What Do United Pilots Think They’re Accomplishing By Picketing?

by Gary Leff on May 13, 2023

May 13 2023

Say what you will about the business logic of providing United pilots with a richer contract, these aren’t traditional blue collar workers. They aren’t working 80 hour weeks to make ends meet and slowly falling behind, they fly 80 hours a month, and are well-paid, and many of them have side businesses – hardly the image of Cesar Chavez standing up with grape workers, “We draw our strength from the very despair in which we have been forced to live. We shall endure.”

99% Of Southwest Airlines Pilots Vote To Authorize Strike

by Gary Leff on May 12, 2023

May 12 2023

99% of pilots casting a ballot voted to authorize a strike. This was largely pitched to members as negotiating leverage: vote to strike so you don’t need to strike. It’s a threat to the company to get them to give more in negotiations.

Once a union calls for strike authorization, members have to go along – otherwise the union’s credibility implodes and the company knows there isn’t a strike threat looming in the background.

American Airlines Pilots Authorize A Strike

by Gary Leff on May 1, 2023

May 01 2023

American Airlines pilots have voted to authorize a strike. This came after the airline’s CEO announced that they’re ready to pay pilots up to $590,000 per year, essentially matching Delta’s new pay rates and improving on scheduling and other quality of life issues.

While the pilot union would like you to believe this is more than it is, it’s effectively business as usual.

Small Cities Are Losing Air Service Thanks To One Large Union

by Gary Leff on April 30, 2023

Apr 30 2023

14 airports have lost all commercial air service in the past three years, and 324 small airports have seen losses of air service averaging 30%.

While the long run trend is fewer non-stop flights in small markets, large hubs have made it economical for airlines to serve many of these markets with a connection. Now we’re seeing fewer – and in some cases no – connections.

Union Will Help American Airlines Track Down And Fire Flight Attendants Who Sell Their Job Duties

by Gary Leff on April 20, 2023

Apr 20 2023

The union reported at the end of last week that they’ve come to an agreement over how to handle flight attendants who ‘sell their seniority’ (a group known as ‘the cartel’) offering up their trips to more junior crew in exchange for cash ($200 on average) or other favors.

Union Activist Blasts Delta Air Lines For Serving Starbucks. Leave Politics Out Of My Coffee!

by Gary Leff on April 16, 2023

Apr 16 2023

Now, the idea that Starbucks somehow signals quality is strange. And the brand alone doesn’t matter most, when United served Starbucks it was a special light brew because too many passengers were overwhelmed by deeper flavors. They worked to serve the lowest common denominator taste. But any issue you may have with Delta now serving Starbucks should really be about would you like a cup of it on board?

United Flight Attendants Sue, Say They Shouldn’t Get Fired For Bullying If They Have Seniority

by Gary Leff on March 30, 2023

Mar 30 2023

A little over a year ago United Airlines fired two senior flight attendants who were union leaders. A junior crewmember reported their mask violations, and then the two senior crew solicited false conduct reports against the junior flight attendant in retaliation. United uncovered this, and had no choice but to fire the union reps.

It turns out United fired six senior flight attendants for bullying junior crew. And the six flight attendants are suing for age discrimination.

Data: Threatening To Fire Sick American Airlines Flight Attendants Doesn’t Boost Attendance

by Gary Leff on March 29, 2023

Mar 29 2023

The airline wants to prevent a mass exodus of staff when they need those staff most. So they impose penalties for using sick time at inconvenient times even when someone is sick (and likely to get customers sick, too). In years past sick calls with documentation were excused but under the point system, they aren’t.

United’s Flight Attendants Union Wants Crew To Admit When They Provide Poor Service

by Gary Leff on March 27, 2023

Mar 27 2023

Even before the pandemic United cut flight attendant staffing in business class. They replaced proper plating of meals in the galley by a flight attendant with less attractive pre-plated meals.

The union wants staffing levels restored, and to pressure the airline as part of slow-moving contract negotiations they’re asking flight attendants to report their own poor service.