PSA Flight Attendants Ready to Strike

After more than two and a half years of fruitless negotiations at PSA Airlines, Flight Attendants at the airline represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA warned the airline that workers would be forced to strike if management continues to refuse to bargain fairly.

This week, AFA requested the National Mediation Board to declare that negotiations are at an impasse and offer a proffer of arbitration which could lead to a 30-day cooling-off period and strike deadline. Contract talks began in May 2009 and have been in mediation since August 2010. Talks have stalled over compensation, retirement, insurance, and related issues, with PSA seeking drastic cuts in Flight Attendant pay and benefits.

"It's long past time for management to take these negotiations seriously. PSA Flight Attendants have sent a loud and clear message to management that action will be taken if a new, improved agreement is not reached," stated PSA AFA Vice President L.C. Acor. "We are done playing games and are ready to do whatever it takes to get a contract that recognizes our meaningful role as first responders."

Last September, the Flight Attendants voted by a 98 percent margin to authorize a strike if necessary. AFA has successfully employed its trademarked strike strategy, known as CHAOS™ (Create Havoc Around Our System), which has been successful in getting management to reach agreement rather than face the uncertainty of CHAOS. Unlike a traditional strike, under CHAOS, a strike could affect the entire system or a single flight, and the union implements it for maximum impact on management — and minimum risk for Flight Attendants.

"We must send the company and the NMB a strong message that the PSA Flight Attendants will not settle for a substandard wage increase and a severely diminished retirement and health insurance," said Acor.

PSA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of US Airways Group, Inc., and operates as a US Airways Express carrier flying to over 62 destinations. It flies out of Charlotte, N.C., Dayton, Ohio, Philadelphia, Pa., and Washington, D.C.