United Airlines flight attendants in Guam seek pay raises

Flight attendants for United Airlines in Guam are pushing for better pay as contract negotiations remain stalled. They joined flight attendants across the country in this effort. The United Airlines Master Executive Council (MEC) of the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA) marked March 19 as a ‘Day of Action.’ Their motto is “No Concessions, Contract now!” The flight attendants emphasize their key role in ensuring passenger safety. They believe it’s time the airline acknowledges their contributions and improves their pay and working conditions. There are about 250 flight attendants based at Guam’s Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport. The union is frustrated with the slow pace of negotiations. They are planning a global demonstration of support on December 14. The AFA-CWA is also preparing for a potential strike, called CHAOS, if the airline does not reach an acceptable contract. To prepare, flight attendants have been encouraged to join a list for possible strike leadership. The union aims to maximize the impact of any strikes. They emphasize that any strike will be legal and planned carefully. In the background, United Airlines recently announced a $1.5 billion share buyback program while negotiations with flight attendants linger on. The AFA-CWA is the only union with an amendable contract open for discussion before 2024. Democratic senators have expressed their support for the flight attendants. They noted the workers have not received a pay raise since 2021, despite United Airlines making significant profits during this time. The airline's CEO has received a considerable pay increase as well. United Airlines reported a net profit of $3.1 billion for 2024, reinforcing the call for fair treatment of flight attendants.