(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — People showing up for flights at O'Hare Airport Wednesday were met with a show of force from flight attendants from Chicago's hometown airline.
Members of the Association of Flight Attendants say they've overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike against United Airlines.
“We are fighting for quality of work life improvements, industry leading pay, a reserve system that recognizes and respects our reserves, retirement security,” said Ken Diaz, president of the United chapter of AFA
It's the first such vote since the carrier exited bankruptcy back in 2005.
Flight attendants are asking for a double-digit pay increase, and improvements in work rules.
United Airlines released the following 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. Instead, 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.
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