United Airlines flight attendants approve strike authorization

(NewsNation) — United Airlines flight attendants voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike should contract negotiations between their union and the airline fail.

Over 99 percent of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA members who took part in the vote did so in favor of the authorization. Some picketed after the vote Wednesday to get the word out about their demands.

“We deserve an industry-leading contract. Our strike vote shows we’re ready to do whatever it takes to reach the contract we deserve,” Ken Diaz, president of the United chapter of AFA, said in a statement. “We are the face of United Airlines, and planes don’t take off without us. As Labor Day travel begins, United management is reminded what’s at stake if we don’t get this done.”

However, this does not mean that flight attendants are walking off the job immediately. The union needs to request a release from the National Mediation Board, and they would have a 30-day "cooling off period" before a strike begins.

"To be clear, there is no work stoppage or labor disruption," United said. "Instead, off-duty flight attendants are exercising their right to conduct an informational picket."

The AFA has a trademarked strategy known as CHAOS, or Create Havoc Around Our System, according to a news release, under which a strike could affect an entire airline or a single flight. In addition, the union decides when, where and how to strike without notice to management or passengers.

United flight attendants say they want a double-digit base pay increase, pay for all time they work, including on the ground, retroactive pay and schedule and retirement flexibility.