Focus on Bargaining

United Airlines bargaining is a big part of CWA contract negotiations this year. Thanks to Flight Attendants and other airline workers, United Airlines emerged from bankruptcy and has posted corporate profits of 161.2 percent since 2009. AFA-CWA Flight Attendants are putting United on notice: it’s our turn.

24,000 Flight Attendants at United Airlines
Contract Goal: July 2015 [No contract expiration under the Railway Labor Act]

United Airlines filed for bankruptcy in 2002, cutting thousands of jobs across the country. Flight Attendants endured wage cuts, health care cost shifting, work rule changes and termination of their pensions. AFA-CWA members fought back and doubled the amount the company would contribute to the 401k, from 3 percent to 6 percent, for a new retirement plan as the airline exited bankruptcy.

The airline has fully recovered from its bankruptcy and in October 2010 merged with Continental and Continental Micronesia. Flight Attendants are bargaining for a single contract at the new United that would finally merge the operation and allow all 24,000 to access the benefits of the merger and share in the airline’s profitability.

[Editor’s note: Information written about United Airlines bargaining and included in the Winter 2014 CWA News was not accurate. This summary provides the correct overview of AFA-CWA bargaining with United Airlines.]