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Yesterday, United Airlines unveiled its new Polaris® Business Class. It looks incredible and the Studios found in the bulkhead are next level with tons of space, an ottoman, and even a caviar amuse bouche. It wasn’t all fun at the launch event, however. Just as Scott Kirby was about to take the stage, a group of around 12 flight attendants stormed up and began shouting protest slogans while brandishing signs. They were promptly removed, but not before a light was shined on the fact that they have gone four years without a new contract.
The event held at the Brooklyn Navy Yard was open to the media, some MileagePlus members (miles could be bid for the chance to attend), United executives, and other VIPs. While United was rolling out what could be considered the most luxe cabin of any US airline, its flight attendants are struggling financially (especially in the case of junior crew). United execs have boasted about growth and shown record profits for some time. They have had their pockets lined as a result of these earnings (right or wrong) while flight attendants have waited for a contract.
The flight attendants that crashed the party were able to make their point as they had around a minute on stage before they were removed by security. Some are reporting that this is being considered criminal trespass. I’m not sure it will go that far. The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) (which represents United Airlines flight attendants) promptly released a statement. It quotes AFA International President Sara Nelson and United AFA President Ken Diaz. They shared:
Service doesn’t happen without us. United has the money to invest in an industry-leading Flight Attendant contract with ‘premium’ compensation, work rules, and cabin interiors.
CEO Scott Kirby can roll out all the new product announcements he wants — it means nothing without respect for the people who deliver it. New cabin interiors – if done with our involvement – can be helpful for doing our jobs and we want happy passengers. But a new aircraft cabin doesn’t pay rent, allow us to come to work without stress over paying our bills, attract new applicants, or give us the schedule control we need to have a life. Scott Kirby can’t promise a product without the people who deliver it.
No other Flight Attendant contract across the industry in this round of bargaining included concessions. Not one. Today’s announcement adds insult to injury. Scott Kirby has no business demanding concessions while stuffing his own pockets with gold and beating his chest about United being the best. Right now, he’s just beating competitors by failing to pay us – the people who make United fly.”
United’s CEO, Scott Kirby, has received a 246% increase in compensation in the past two years while leaving flight attendants are nearly four years past due on a raise or contract. Negotiations are continuing in Chicago this week. This is part of three weeks of intensive bargaining that was supposed to move this agreement forward. The protest is not going to derail this, but it certainly won’t help either as tensions on both sides are high.
American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Southwest Airlines have all ratified new contracts for their flight attendants over the past few years. United is doing better than all of these carriers financially, yet its crew continues to have to wait.
Anthony’s Take: I hope a solution is found soon. Do I find every flight attendant deserving of a raise? No. But, the vast majority of United’s flight attendants are hard working and it’s time that they share the wealth and get paid a wage that’s in line with others.
(Featured Image Credit: United Airlines.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
1 comment
Enough said: United’s CEO, Scott Kirby, has received a 246% increase in compensation in the past two years while leaving flight attendants are nearly four years past due on a raise or contract.
This is ridiculous! The hard working American citizen is once again ignored, while corporate greed takes over.