AFA
On April 6, United and the Association of Flight Attendants began the negotiations process to revise the current collective bargaining agreement. The meetings were conducted in a very straightforward and professional manner.
Following introductions of the negotiating teams and opening remarks, United and the AFA each presented their opening proposals.
The full text of United’s opener is posted below. The main issues United discussed were the need for agreements that delivered in three key areas:
- Competitive wages, benefits, and work rules
- Meaningful incentive compensation tied to measurable and realistic performance metrics
- Flexibility to respond to changes in the marketplace, evolving customer expectations and emerging commercial opportunities
Most Recent Update: March 2, 2010
The United and AFA Negotiating Committees met in Chicago with mediator John Livingood on Feb. 23-25 to discuss Sections 10 (Reserve Scheduling Procedures), 12 (International Operation), and 24 (Moving Expenses). We are disappointed that there was no progress in reaching agreements or resolving issues.
In recent sessions, United negotiators have expressed their continued willingness to address AFA bargaining objectives. However, AFA negotiators were not interested in considering any proposals that contained improvements desired by the Company, even when those proposals offered meaningful improvements for Flight Attendants. On numerous occasions United negotiators suggested that the parties use Continental’s Flight Attendant contract as a model for our negotiations. This would result in significant pay and per diem increases for United Flight Attendants, and would also yield work rule productivity improvements and savings in the area of Benefit costs. AFA negotiators have continued to reject this approach.
The next round of negotiations will take place in Chicago March 16-18. Agenda topics include Sec. 2 (Definitions), miscellaneous letters of agreement at the end of Sec. 35, a review of AFA’s pay proposal in Sec. 5 (Compensation), reserve preferencing, reduction in personnel processes, reserve move-up, and uniforms.
The Company continues to meet with every other union in mediation outside of dates available with assigned mediators based on continued progress and a willingness of the other unions to engage in meaningful negotiations. United has advised that it will meet with AFA only with the mediator present because of a lack of progress during discussions, and an unwillingness of the AFA Negotiating Committee to engage in serious and real negotiation.