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United Airlines flight attendants union votes 99.99% to authorize a strike

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team WLS logo
Wednesday, August 28, 2024 1:56PM


United flight attendants union votes to authorize strike

United Airlines flight attendants announced the union approved to authorize a strike with a 99.99% vote on Wednesday.

United Airlines flight attendants announced the union approved to authorize a strike with a 99.99% vote on Wednesday.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- United Airlines flight attendants announced the union approved to authorize a strike with a 99.99% vote on Wednesday.


This is the first time they've voted on such a proposal, in nearly 20 years.

The historic announcement was made after a demonstration at O'Hare Airport on Wednesday.

United Airlines Flight Attendants are represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, also known as AFA.

The union voted 99.99% yes to authorize a strike if management fails to agree to their requests.

"We are the face of United Airlines and planes don't take off without us. As Labor Day travel begins, United management is reminded what's at stake if we don't get this done," said Ken Diaz, president of the United chapter of AFA.

American Airlines flight attendants were also in attendance in solidarity.

The flight attendants are calling for raises, schedule flexibility, work rule improvements, job security, retirement and more.


The flight attendants union said it filed for federal mediation over eight months ago and have been working under an amendable contract for nearly three years.

The union decides if, when, where and how to strike without notice to management or passengers.

The AFA trademarked a strike strategy called CHAOS, which stands for "Create Havoc Around Our System."

United Airlines released the following statement:

"We continue to work toward an industry-leading agreement for our flight attendants, including negotiations this week and every month through November. Both sides have been actively engaged in these negotiations facilitated by the federal mediator requested by the union. We remain eager to reach an agreement. To be clear, there is no work stoppage or labor disruption. Instead, off-duty flight attendants are exercising their right to conduct an informational picket. Federal law bars a strike until after a lengthy process that includes a release from mediation, which can only be granted by the National Mediation Board."