United Airlines Flight Attendants Strike In Response To Top Executives Sizable Pay Increase

United Airlines’ flight attendants picketed at the carrier’s major hubs in the US and some overseas locations and territories, demanding better pay. While the cabin crew members have been demanding better compensation and working conditions for some time, the latest protests were triggered after it was revealed that the top-tier management team had received handsome compensation.

Top executives’ salaries spark protests

As part of a nationwide day of action, many flight attendants working for United Airlines protested outside airports across the US and its territories and overseas hubs. The cabin crew staff were unhappy about the fact that the top executives of the company received significant pay revisions even as flight attendants struggled to get better contracts.

Photo: Greg K__ca l Shutterstock

A proxy statement by United Airlines revealed that the company’s senior management team benefitted from increased pay, including CEO Scott Kirby, who made almost $18.6 million in 2023, a 90% increase. In 2022, he received $9.8 million.

The flight attendants who marked their protests on Thursday were represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. Fox 31 quotes Chris Bruton, president of Local United AFA Council 9, as saying,

“The money is there, the resources are there. We are told that we’re valued, but our contract and the company’s unwillingness to negotiate in a fair and reasonable manner doesn’t bear that out.”

Demanding better compensation

The sentiments were echoed throughout the country where flight attendants came out to protest. Skift quotes the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which says that a flight attendant’s median salary is around $68,000. Lily Meyer, a United flight attendant based out of LaGuardia, said that they’re still awaiting a proposal regarding their demands for things like work-life balance. United released a statement that said,

“Since last month we’ve been meeting with the Association of Flight Attendants and the federal mediator they requested as we continue to work toward an industry-leading agreement for our flight attendants. Our negotiations are continuing this week and we have additional dates scheduled later this month.”

Photo: lorenzatx | Shutterstock

Flight attendants of airlines have been demanding better work contracts for a long time. Alaska Airlines cabin crew members also protested in February. According to Meyer, United’s flight attendants have been negotiating with the airline for 29 months.

She said that such negotiations usually take a long time to reach a conclusion, as previous attempts have taken around 24 months. Meyer added, “It’s beyond maddening that it’s been 29 months at the table.”

Related

In Photo: The Flight Attendant Picket At US Airports

Amidst the backdrop of AFA Alaska’s strike authorization, flight attendants picketed at 30+ airports demanding better compensation and respect.

United’s pilot contract

Last year, United was able to reach an agreement with its pilots regarding a new contract, with an increase in value of over $10 billion to its existing pay package. The new contract ensured pilots would get ‘industry-leading’ pay increases across the contract’s life, along with improved quality of life, sick leave, rule improvements, and an increase in retirement benefits.

Photo: MKPhoto12 | Shutterstock

It remains to be seen what the current protests and ongoing negotiations between United’s management and flight attendants will yield in the coming months.

What are your views on this? Please leave a comment below.