That "intermittent strikes will strike at random" strategy was followed very successfully by the UAW against the Big Four automakers. Good for the flight attendants for following that example.
Starting flight attendants earn annual salaries of maybe $24K, something ridiculous and unlivable like that, because the major airlines use one of those horseshit scheduling systems/protocols/whatever that is basically designed to screw workers out of wages. Hold their feet to the fire, AFA.
Actually, the UAW was following in the example of the flight attendant union. In 1993, AFA created the intermittent strike strategy (and even trademarked the name, CHAOS (create havoc around our system) at Alaska Airlines. Seven flights were struck and the flight attendants won the fight. Flight attendants are some activist badasses. https://www.afacwa.org/chaos
I don't know about y'all, but this commie old lady is VERY happy to see labor having a day, after a lifetime of watching unions being demonized and way too many people believing that crap.
Yup. I was raised by union-haters and diverged young from that belief, not bc I worked union jobs but bc the arguments against unions were such utter horseshit.
I pretty much reflexively support unions where they and business come into conflict.
Not doing so is (IMHO) a giant middle finger to working people.
I am all behind the flight attendants having been one for 3 fun filled glorious years (spoiler: neither fun nor glorious). The first year I made $14K in San Francisco. My rent was more than in NYC. AND I had to pay taxes because not enough was deducted. The E/A that did them said I should have them withhold more. More of nothing is nothing.
It's a thankless job working with UAL but the passengers weren't buttholes as they have turned into now. We had to negotiate MEALS! That's right. At one point, even if you worked a 10-12 hour duty day with no way, time or, me-money, you weren't able to get off the plane to buy food. They actually fought NOT to feed us but hey, there was a weight restriction so maybe they were just helping us not gain any weight and go on the "flight restriction list"? They had also, during the early years , made total strangers be your roommate on layovers to save $$ on rooms in rat and roach infested hotels. Meanwhile Stephen Wolfe, the CEO who bankrupted Eastern Airlines, was making 10's of millions of dollars a year and left with a very sizeable golden parachute but tell us how they had no $$ to treat their employees humanely.
I will ALWAYS stand with F/A's. Staffing is there to save your ass, not kiss it. And they shouldn't have to learn self defense either!
My sister was a flight attendant in the early 1970s, when it was considered a glamorous job. The pay was crappy then too and scheduling was a bitch. The only advantage was most of them were young and single so they could pack six of them in a small two bedroom apartment since usually at least two were out on flights. So rent was a little cheaper since it was split six ways. Although posts were usually in major cities, so still no bargain. She lasted about 5 years. She also picked up a serious alcohol problem, although it may not be related to work. But I do remember her always having a big stash of those little airline liquor bottles. I would swipe a few when she came home so I could make a drink during study hall in high school.
They need to label the planes by vintage, like wine. “Sir, you will be flying a 2020 Boeing 737 Max (velocity before sudden stop). We will be pairing it with cramped seating and a somber call to your loved ones. Would you like crackers or peanuts for the aloft portion of your flight?”
That would be fabulous. But airline and railroad contracts are governed by a different law called the Railway Labor Act. These contracts never expire. They become amendable. The unions must be released into a cooling off period at the end of which they can strike. The National Mediation Board, a very small government agency, is in charge of whether or not the workers are allowed to strike.
United has 25803 flight attendants, according to Google. 0.01% of 90% of that is 2-3. That was the vote against striking: two or three people (or possibly just one, depending on how they rounded).
I fly United all the time. I’m down for this strike! The people who take care of us so well need to be paid a fair and living wage. LFG!
That "intermittent strikes will strike at random" strategy was followed very successfully by the UAW against the Big Four automakers. Good for the flight attendants for following that example.
Starting flight attendants earn annual salaries of maybe $24K, something ridiculous and unlivable like that, because the major airlines use one of those horseshit scheduling systems/protocols/whatever that is basically designed to screw workers out of wages. Hold their feet to the fire, AFA.
Actually, the UAW was following in the example of the flight attendant union. In 1993, AFA created the intermittent strike strategy (and even trademarked the name, CHAOS (create havoc around our system) at Alaska Airlines. Seven flights were struck and the flight attendants won the fight. Flight attendants are some activist badasses. https://www.afacwa.org/chaos
Ha, no shit? Wow, that's wild! Thanks for setting me straight.
That is a GREAT union strategy. I hope they don't have to actually put it into effect, but if they do, I'm all on their side.
Good luck flight attendants and thank Bastet that I moved within driving distance of the people I need to be able to visit.
I don't know about y'all, but this commie old lady is VERY happy to see labor having a day, after a lifetime of watching unions being demonized and way too many people believing that crap.
Yup. I was raised by union-haters and diverged young from that belief, not bc I worked union jobs but bc the arguments against unions were such utter horseshit.
I pretty much reflexively support unions where they and business come into conflict.
Not doing so is (IMHO) a giant middle finger to working people.
United is one of the absolute worst. Half my family either worked or is working for these motherfuckers, which isn't exactly very unusual in Chicago.
I am all behind the flight attendants having been one for 3 fun filled glorious years (spoiler: neither fun nor glorious). The first year I made $14K in San Francisco. My rent was more than in NYC. AND I had to pay taxes because not enough was deducted. The E/A that did them said I should have them withhold more. More of nothing is nothing.
It's a thankless job working with UAL but the passengers weren't buttholes as they have turned into now. We had to negotiate MEALS! That's right. At one point, even if you worked a 10-12 hour duty day with no way, time or, me-money, you weren't able to get off the plane to buy food. They actually fought NOT to feed us but hey, there was a weight restriction so maybe they were just helping us not gain any weight and go on the "flight restriction list"? They had also, during the early years , made total strangers be your roommate on layovers to save $$ on rooms in rat and roach infested hotels. Meanwhile Stephen Wolfe, the CEO who bankrupted Eastern Airlines, was making 10's of millions of dollars a year and left with a very sizeable golden parachute but tell us how they had no $$ to treat their employees humanely.
I will ALWAYS stand with F/A's. Staffing is there to save your ass, not kiss it. And they shouldn't have to learn self defense either!
amen!
We need more agents of CHAOS.
Good! Go union, go!
WaPo just had an article about flight attendants living out of their cars. Not sure it was a United FA, but they deserve a living wage!
Ta, Robyn. One of the women with whom I went to school was a flight attendant. She had it rough.
My sister was a flight attendant in the early 1970s, when it was considered a glamorous job. The pay was crappy then too and scheduling was a bitch. The only advantage was most of them were young and single so they could pack six of them in a small two bedroom apartment since usually at least two were out on flights. So rent was a little cheaper since it was split six ways. Although posts were usually in major cities, so still no bargain. She lasted about 5 years. She also picked up a serious alcohol problem, although it may not be related to work. But I do remember her always having a big stash of those little airline liquor bottles. I would swipe a few when she came home so I could make a drink during study hall in high school.
I'd be striking too, if I had to fly on a Boeing.
The older Boeings are still fine machines. It's anything built after 2018 you need to worry about.
They need to label the planes by vintage, like wine. “Sir, you will be flying a 2020 Boeing 737 Max (velocity before sudden stop). We will be pairing it with cramped seating and a somber call to your loved ones. Would you like crackers or peanuts for the aloft portion of your flight?”
𝘙𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘮, 𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦.
Hey, it worked for the United Auto Workers!
United is the one airline I refuse to fly. At least Spirit doesn't pretend they are premium.
I used to have a very premium status on United. I haven't for years; I quit flying them after they dropped the ball too many times.
I flew on United once. It was horrible. Will not do it again willingly.
They ought to do what Shawn Fain has done, negotiate their next contract so it expires just in time for May Day 2028, giving us a General Strike!
That would be fabulous. But airline and railroad contracts are governed by a different law called the Railway Labor Act. These contracts never expire. They become amendable. The unions must be released into a cooling off period at the end of which they can strike. The National Mediation Board, a very small government agency, is in charge of whether or not the workers are allowed to strike.
Everyone be careful if you’re flying the not-so-friendly skies in the immediate future.
And DON’T get the fish.
I’m not talking jive
Surely you can't be serious.
Don't call me Shirley
I am.
You know the rest
....
United has 25803 flight attendants, according to Google. 0.01% of 90% of that is 2-3. That was the vote against striking: two or three people (or possibly just one, depending on how they rounded).