Members of the MTD-affiliated CWA-Association of Flight Attendants flying for United Airlines held informational pickets on Dec. 17 at airports across the United States as well as several global destinations to protest more than five years without a contract.
Since the merger of United with Continental, flight attendants have continued to work while the company has posted record profits. With chants of “No Justice, No Peace on Earth” to reflect the time of the year, the union members were joined on the lines by members of the MTD-affiliated Machinists, Air Line Pilots Association, flight and ground crews from other airlines, and labor supporters. MTD Executive Secretary-Treasurer Daniel Duncan marched outside the United terminal at Washington National Airport.
The union announced this was the start of its third Thursday actions. The campaign aims to bring public attention to the struggle being faced by the flight attendants, who are batting to gain back the pay and benefits lost when United declared bankruptcy during the last decade. The union is pointing out company executives are receiving bonuses while the flight crews remain waiting.