CLEVELAND — A strike is looming for United Airlines flight attendants, as union employees voted in favor of strike authorization on Wednesday. The vote reflects their demand for fair wages and better working conditions.
Flight attendants who participated in the informational picket line at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport told 3News a strike is the last thing they want, but they are not afraid to "clip their wings" if their contractual needs aren't met. Union attendants from United were seen chanting and holding signs, demanding what they describe as a better working contract.
"We need improvements in work rules, retirement, and pay wages," Melinda Beal, local council president of AFA-CWA Local 63, said.
The demonstration follows nearly three years of negotiations. Beal emphasized that the time for a new contract is now.
"We are under a lot of strain, not having received any pay raises for several years," she added.
The picket line in Cleveland was part of nearly two dozen informal picket lines across the country, with attendants threatening to walk off the job if their demands aren’t met.
"If it comes to that, we'll initiate a strike called 'Chaos,'" Beal explained. "We’ll create havoc across the system, targeting specific flights, specific cities. The airlines won't know what hit them."
Wednesday's informational picket lines coincided with AAA's prediction of thousands of people flying the friendly skies this Labor Day weekend.
"If it's anything like what we've seen all year, we know that travel has been booming and very busy," Tiffany Stanley, public and community relations manager at AAA East Central, said.
Stanley noted that a potential strike could cause significant problems for travelers.
"When there's a disruption in the normal operations of flying and airports, it can create a huge ripple effect, causing a lot of issues for travelers," she added.
United Airlines provided 3News with this statement:
"We continue to work toward an industry-leading agreement for our flight attendants, including negotiations this week and every month through November. Both sides have been actively engaged in these negotiations facilitated by the federal mediator requested by the union. We remain eager to reach an agreement.
"To be clear, there is no work stoppage or labor disruption. Off-duty flight attendants are exercising their right to conduct an informational picket. Federal law bars a strike until after a lengthy process that includes a release from mediation, which can only be granted by the National Mediation Board."
Flight attendants with the airline confirmed to WKYC that negotiations with United are ongoing, with no deadline set for when a new contract must be provided. However, they made it clear that if the contract presented is not satisfactory, a strike is now on the table. As for when that might happen, only time will tell.