94% of US Flight Attendants vote to authorize a strike (UPDATED)
Nov 20, 2012, 11:52 am
#1
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94% of US Flight Attendants vote to authorize a strike (UPDATED)
Today's Phoenix area East Valley Tribune:
Full article can be found here: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/49903444/n.../#.UKvRKWe2Y1B
If you head to the airport, you might notice some turbulence but not in the skies.
We're talking about a labor disagreement between flight attendants and management that could end in a strike.
The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) is expected to get results of a strike vote Tuesday.
Last week, hundreds of US Airways flight attendants formed an informational picket line at Sky Harbor International Airport.
AFA says 6,700 flight attendants around the country are fed up with stalled contract negotiations. According to the AFA, contract negotiations have failed since the US Airways/America West merger of 2005. . .
We're talking about a labor disagreement between flight attendants and management that could end in a strike.
The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) is expected to get results of a strike vote Tuesday.
Last week, hundreds of US Airways flight attendants formed an informational picket line at Sky Harbor International Airport.
AFA says 6,700 flight attendants around the country are fed up with stalled contract negotiations. According to the AFA, contract negotiations have failed since the US Airways/America West merger of 2005. . .
Nov 20, 2012, 11:58 am
#2
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Ugh...I hope that a strike doesn't happen. I'm surprised it's taken this long for this to happen though. And from the, albeit little bit, that I know, it seems that it's management that's more in the wrong here.
Nov 20, 2012, 12:14 pm
#3
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Why do you say that? Managment has negotiated and reached agreements with the union leadership twice and it was voted down by the rank and file, the last time by 49 votes, this like most US Airways union problems is almost entirely the result of infighting between east and west. West FAs overhelmingly voted for the last contract was the word on the street. They cannot strike, a merger is way more likely to happen before they could even be realeased to strike. This is just a thrown bone move by the union trying not to look out smarted at every turn and of corse hard core union people like those back east will eat it up.
Nov 20, 2012, 12:31 pm
#4
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Looks like the results are in 94% vote to strike:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...EN878320121120
Curious to see if they'll try and mobilize before the holiday travel...
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...EN878320121120
Curious to see if they'll try and mobilize before the holiday travel...
Nov 20, 2012, 12:41 pm
#5
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Volpe says it is unlikely that a strike would happen during the holidays but it could occur during Arizona's peak season.
"January, February, March. We're talking Spring Training, winter travel. That's when the impact could hit," Volpe said.
[...]
If AFA members approve a strike, the issue would be forwarded to the National Mediation Board for review, Volpe said. The NMB would have its say before a strike could happen and there would be a 30-day cooling period first.
"January, February, March. We're talking Spring Training, winter travel. That's when the impact could hit," Volpe said.
[...]
If AFA members approve a strike, the issue would be forwarded to the National Mediation Board for review, Volpe said. The NMB would have its say before a strike could happen and there would be a 30-day cooling period first.
Nov 20, 2012, 1:04 pm
#6
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And somehow Dougie thinks bringing in a 3rd group of unionized employees to mix in with the 2 fighting unions he already has is a good idea ... 
Nov 20, 2012, 2:31 pm
#7
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It's the employees who have been screwed in all of this, not the customer. Sure, there are stories of lazy FA's, surly FA's, and FA's who really need to go work somewhere else, but they're by far the exception and not the rule. If you can keep the customer relatively happy without actually fixing this problem, then there's less priority to fix it.
Not saying that makes it right, by any means. Just saying that upper management might not see it as being a deal-breaker.
Nov 20, 2012, 3:24 pm
#8
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Well considering how smooth an operation they've been able to run with the union fights and infighting, and the lack of contract, it really doesn't surprise me that they're willing to risk adding another union or three to the mix.
It's the employees who have been screwed in all of this, not the customer. Sure, there are stories of lazy FA's, surly FA's, and FA's who really need to go work somewhere else, but they're by far the exception and not the rule. If you can keep the customer relatively happy without actually fixing this problem, then there's less priority to fix it.
Not saying that makes it right, by any means. Just saying that upper management might not see it as being a deal-breaker.
It's the employees who have been screwed in all of this, not the customer. Sure, there are stories of lazy FA's, surly FA's, and FA's who really need to go work somewhere else, but they're by far the exception and not the rule. If you can keep the customer relatively happy without actually fixing this problem, then there's less priority to fix it.
Not saying that makes it right, by any means. Just saying that upper management might not see it as being a deal-breaker.
Nov 21, 2012, 5:06 am
#9
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Strike Authorization Update
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...8AJ1BR20121120
Sure hope this is resolved before we had out on a long international trip Jan. 22.
Sure hope this is resolved before we had out on a long international trip Jan. 22.
Nov 21, 2012, 5:37 am
#10
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It will be at least a year before a strike could happen.... Federal mediators havent been keen on declaring impasse....
Nov 21, 2012, 6:33 am
#11
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Can someone explain what are the issues why F/As didn't authorize the contracts thus far?
Nov 21, 2012, 10:04 am
#13
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Looks like a January or February strike is possible. Just when we'll be traveling. May conceivably be able to get put on other carriers (e.g., US), but on routes we'll be flying (Brazil-U.S., including Hawaii), may not be easy. US customer realtions never easy to work with in the best of circumstances. We once had an international fight canceled, mid-way through a long trip, and all the US agent could tell us was that some action had been taken in Munich (Europe was not part of our trip). If we get through this trip, we may be looking at other carriers for a May trip. Maybe DL more than AA, though DL ff miles we'd gain are harder to use than thos e of other carriers (highe requiremtns for flights).
Nov 21, 2012, 10:11 am
#14
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This is spot on. I can't remember the last time any group of US flight attendants or pilots actually got to the point of striking. The Federal Government would surely delay a strike until who knows when.
Nov 21, 2012, 10:31 am
#15
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http://www.charlotteobserver.com/201...ants-vote.html