Bernie Sanders Stands with Flight Attendants Protesting Around the World
Thousands March to Call for a Joint Contract at United Airlines
Washington, DC (December 17, 2015) – In 16 cities around the world, thousands of Flight Attendants are standing together today to send a message to United Airlines management: our fight will continue until we reach a contract that we are proud to ratify.
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders showed his support for the 24,000 Flight Attendants at United who are fighting for a joint contract.
"We are out today protesting corporate greed, and we are standing up for our fair share of the profits we help create. This isn’t just about United, it’s about setting the new standard,” said AFA International President Sara Nelson. “United continues to run a three-part fractured operation, negatively impacting passengers and crew members. A joint Flight Attendant contract is necessary to complete this merger and move forward as one.”
A joint contract at United will directly affect 24,000 flight attendants at United Airlines and 25,000 flight attendants at American Airlines. AFA negotiated a provision in the American contract that pay for American Flight Attendants must be increased to match the new pay rates once a United Flight Attendant tentative agreement is reached and ratified. Never before in the industry has one negotiations had a direct impact on over 50,000 airline employees.
The Air Line Pilots Association and other unions marched in solidarity with Flight Attendants today.
Flight Attendants will continue to protest until United management meets us at the table with a fair contract, recognizing our dedication, hard work, and sacrifice. For more information, visit OurContract.org.
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The Association of Flight Attendants is the world’s largest Flight Attendant union. Focused 100 percent on Flight Attendant issues, AFA has been the leader in advancing the Flight Attendant profession for 70 years. Serving as the voice for Flight Attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill, AFA has transformed the Flight Attendant profession by raising wages, benefits and working conditions. Nearly 50,000 Flight Attendants come together to form AFA, part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afacwa.org.
