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United: Change, for Good

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Source: AFA

Date: Oct 13, 2015

Dear Flight Attendants:

The U.S. airline industry has consolidated down to just three carriers. Profits may be at record highs, but we are all painfully aware United Airlines is lagging behind Delta and American. The future of United Airlines is dependent upon completion of the merger and focus on the long-term success of the airline. Frustration for Flight Attendants and other workers on the frontlines is turning to hope. Oscar Munoz has replaced Jeff Smisek and we have hope that he has begun the work of inspiring confidence in employees and passengers.

Change is coming. And change is hard. But I’m hearing an overwhelming sentiment from Flight Attendants who are eager for change. We are ready for the consistency of a schedule that comes with a fully merged operation. We are ready for the stability of counting on where we are based at a stable, profitable airline. We are ready to share in the profits we help create. We must all do our part to make this happen, to change for good.

The name of the airline may be United, but our history is so much more. We are Continental. We are Continental Micronesia. We are Pan Am, National, Capital, Varney, People Express, Texas International, Frontier, New York Air, Eastern and so many more. We are Flight Attendants. In our work, we interact with all of humanity. We have different perspectives because we open our hearts and our minds to different people. We care for others the same as we care for ourselves. We are the ones who breathe life into one of the most successful marketing slogans of all time, “Fly the Friendly Skies.” Each of you has kept this alive through the personal pride you take in your work. But United Airlines has for too long squandered the real potential of a fully engaged, unified and valued frontline going to work each day with shared purpose.

On September 30th, the Joint MEC, made up of each of the directly elected Local Council Presidents, unanimously adopted a resolution of unity and called for concrete measures of change. The resolution “calls upon the new CEO Oscar Munoz to conduct a thorough review of United management to resolve deep-seated problems in order to promote the spirit of shared purpose.”

It further says that “whether change is truly coming to United will be measured by direct evidence and concrete measures such as:

  • immediate and substantial progress at the bargaining table,
  • changes in upper level management personnel as warranted,
  • a repudiation of bad faith bargaining tactics,
  • making good on commitments to provide 2015 profit sharing for CAL and CMI Flight Attendants; and
  • a moratorium on using surpluses, base closures, furloughs and other disruptions to Flight Attendants’ lives during contract negotiations.”

This is where our power to create positive change resides. It is through our unity that we will build the world-class airline United can be. And it is only through our unity and speaking with one voice that we will conclude negotiations for an industry-leading contract. Last night our Joint Negotiating Committee sent an update and made clear “we have developed a strong, clear and unified proposal that we all stand behind and represents the interests of the 24,000 Flight Attendants at United Airlines.” Support our JNC, with the full backing of 24,000 Flight Attendants, to negotiate the contract we want to ratify. From reserve to retirement, we must stand as one.

Our unity is the key to equalizing pay for equal work and lifting standards for our careers. At no other time have we been better positioned to fight for an industry-leading contract, and as we set a new standard American Flight Attendants will benefit too because we made sure their pay would increase once the United contract is worth more. One negotiation. 50,000 Flight Attendants stand to benefit.

This is our opportunity for a fresh perspective, for a fresh start. As we meet with our new CEO this week and your Joint Negotiating Committee begins mediation on October 20th put on your AFA pin and stand as one. Let there be no doubt - Our Joint Negotiating Committee is going to the table with one position. Representatives of three former airlines are standing as one. Do not allow the Smisek era of labor relations to define who we are with United’s new CEO Oscar Munoz. Make an extra effort to reach out, say hello, smile and welcome each other on the plane, in the crew lounge, on the hotel van and in the terminal. Be who we are. Be the friendly skies and let that start at home.

We are unique; and yet, We are One. We are stronger together. We are better together.

Thank you. And fly safe.

In Solidarity,



Sara Nelson
AFA-CWA International President

Join your Joint Negotiating Committee for a
Negotiations Update following our first mediation session.
October 29th at 6 pm Eastern Time

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