Flight Attendants Picket At Newark Airport: ‘Ready To Strike’
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NEWARK, NJ — Unionized flight attendants who work for United Airlines held a day of protest on Thursday at airports across the nation – including Newark – as they fight for a new contract.
Dozens of flight attendants affiliated with the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA marched outside of United’s terminal at Newark Airport, hefting signs that read “Corporate Greed Doesn’t Fly” and “Ready To Strike.” In a nod to the Christmas season, the union enlisted the help of a costumed Santa, who walked alongside the fed-up flight attendants and led them on chants.
The rally took place less than a week before the winter holidays, which are expected to be one of the busiest-ever at the airport. Nearly 5.2 million passengers are likely to pass through travel through Newark, JFK, LaGuardia and New York Stewart International airports between Dec. 21 and Jan. 2, according to the Port Authority.
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The flight attendants filed for federal mediation nearly a year ago, and have been working with an amendable contract since 2021, their union said.
A spokesperson with United Airlines told Patch that the company is “eager to reach the industry-leading agreement with our flight attendants that they deserve.”
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The ball is already rolling, the company added:
“United is offering pay raises of 22.5%, new boarding pay, and many other improvements. The federal mediation process requested by the Association of Flight Attendants is expected to resume in early 2025 with the new negotiating committee named by the union on November 19.”
That isn’t enough for the frustrated flight attendants, who continue to threaten a strike if their demands aren’t met.
According to the AWA-CWA, management’s proposals include raising the requirement to qualify for medical benefits, a rollback of sick leave coverage, reducing guaranteed monthly hours, lengthen shifts, reducing rest in between shifts, increasing medical premiums and removing some medical plan options.
“No other workgroup at United or across the industry has agreed to concessions,” the union claimed. “It’s a delay tactic – period.”
The flight attendants have launched repeated rallies and protests outside Newark Airport since contract talks hit a brick wall, also holding a demonstration ahead of last Christmas holiday at the busy airport.
United flight attendants aren’t the only members of its crews who have been demanding pay boosts and better working conditions. Pilots have also picketed at Newark Airport in recent years after contract talks with the company stalled.
SUPPORT FROM CONGRESS
The flight attendants have picked up support from 25 United States senators, who called on United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby to “return to the bargaining table to deliver a fair contract” in a letter on Thursday.
The signatories included both of New Jersey’s senators: Cory Booker and Andy Kim.
“We encourage you to negotiate urgently to reach an agreement that recognizes these workers’ vital contributions to United Airlines,” the letter reads.
“Flight attendants worked throughout the COVID-19 pandemic amid not only a public health crisis, but also a surge in conflict and aggression on planes,” it continues. “Flight attendants risked their own health and safety day after day and do the difficult, essential work that allowed United Airlines to thrive.”
“While United flight attendants have been working for nearly four years without a raise or any improvements to their contract, the airline has yielded billions in profits,” the senators said. “As CEO, you have experienced a 90 percent increase in your compensation during this time. In October, United Airlines announced a $1.5 billion stock buyback plan, even as flight attendants struggled to meet their basic needs and keep up with the cost of living.”
The letter continues:
“New collective bargaining agreements at United and across the airline industry have begun to reflect significant gains for workers after two decades of austerity and consolidation. We hope you agree that flight attendants have waited long enough for a contract that reflects their essential work. We urge you to personally engage in negotiations and help bring them to conclusion without any further delay.”
“We will be closely following progress at the bargaining table and are eager to see a fair agreement reached soon,” the letter concludes.
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