Quantcast

United Airlines flight attendants plan symbolic strike authorization vote amid contract talks

United Airlines flight attendants plan symbolic strike authorization vote amid contract talks
Research
Webp txr36ytg6uuvd13i8xrjnuempd4m
Gary Leff Chief Financial Officer | View from the Wing

As American Airlines nears the conclusion of contract negotiations with its flight attendants union in Phoenix, United Airlines flight attendants are preparing to escalate their own bargaining efforts.

American Airlines' new contract is expected to be finalized by next week, four and a half years after the previous agreement became amendable. Similarly, United's flight attendants have had an open contract for the same duration, excluding pandemic time. However, their union has remained largely silent, strategically allowing American’s negotiations to set a precedent.

The United Airlines flight attendants union will soon conduct a strike authorization vote. This vote allows the union to signal readiness for a strike but does not permit an actual strike. According to the union, United is delaying negotiations to save on increased wages during this period. The union plans to request retroactive pay similar to what Southwest and American Airlines achieved in their agreements.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The decision to hold a strike authorization vote is viewed as a tactical move in ongoing negotiations. It symbolizes that flight attendants are prepared for extended bargaining efforts. "Many flight attendants will vote for a strike knowing that it is a positioning tactic for negotiations," stated an anonymous source within the union.

Despite an anticipated 99% approval rate for authorizing a strike, many voting members do not genuinely support striking but aim to maintain negotiation leverage. Following the vote, several procedural steps must occur before any potential strike action can take place: declaration of an impasse by the National Mediation Board (NMB), followed by a 30-day cooling-off period, and subsequent approval of 'self-help' measures. Additionally, Presidential intervention could prevent a strike.

The NMB has shown reluctance to declare an impasse during election periods, particularly under Democratic-majority leadership seeking future appointments and avoiding complications for Presidents.

Historically, major airline strikes in the U.S. have been rare over the past two decades with only two significant occurrences: Northwest mechanics in 2005 and Spirit Airlines pilots in 2010. While threats of strikes are common negotiation tactics, they rarely culminate in actual strikes.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Etihad Airways has announced the launch of a new route connecting Abu Dhabi and Addis Ababa.

Oct 27, 2025

United Airlines has unveiled its Summer 2026 schedule, which includes new flights from Newark to Bari, Split, Santiago de Compostela, and Glasgow, as well as from Newark to Seoul and Washington, D.C., to Reykjavik.

Oct 27, 2025

Ethiopian Airlines has announced a limited-time 20% discount on fares between Addis Ababa and Porto.

Oct 27, 2025

Avianca has announced that passengers are encouraged to register for the Biomig biometric migration system to avoid lines and delays at participating airports in Colombia.

Oct 27, 2025

Delta Air Lines has announced an upgrade to its mobile application, enhancing travel convenience ahead of the holiday season.

Oct 27, 2025

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has announced the closure of Terminal 5 to commence significant renovations aimed at enhancing the passenger experience.

Oct 27, 2025