‘Overworked, Underpaid’: Flight Attendants Picket At Newark Airport

NEWARK, NJ — If an airline has the cash to give its executives a big pay bump, its employees also deserve a raise. This was the call from dozens of unionized flight attendants with United Airlines at a picket line outside Newark Airport on Thursday.

As part of a national day of action held at airports across the U.S., the flight attendants held up signs reading “Pay Us Or Chaos” and chanted “Overworked, underpaid – pay us a living wage.”

Their union, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), issued a statement about the reason for Thursday’s picket line:

“Today’s nationwide day of action comes on the heels of the release of United’s proxy statement showing that United Executives received double-digit compensation increases in 2023 – the CEO’s compensation alone increased by 90%. As United dumps exorbitant sums into its executive's pocket and rakes in record profits on the backs of flight attendants, management has been denying flight attendants a fair contract for more than two years now … Flight attendants are working harder than ever with long days, short nights, more time away from family, and increasingly difficult working conditions. Meanwhile, United is flying more than ever before, launching new destinations, and taking delivery of new aircraft – in short, United management can afford fair deals.”

“If the airline has money to award execs with massive compensation increases, we expect to receive the same,” said Ken Diaz, AFA United President.

“United flight attendants are the lifeblood of this airline, and management needs to come to the table now with an offer that reflects our critical contribution,” Diaz added.

Negotiators are set to return to the table for their second federally-mediated bargaining session this week, the union said.

Reached for comment about Thursday’s picket line and ongoing contract negotiations, a United Airlines spokesperson offered Patch the following statement:

“Since last month we’ve been meeting with the Association of Flight Attendants and the federal mediator they requested as we continue to work toward an industry-leading agreement for our flight attendants. Our negotiations are continuing this week and we have additional dates scheduled later this month.”

The AFA-affiliated flight attendants have launched repeated rallies and protests outside Newark Airport since contract talks hit a brick wall, recently holding a demonstration ahead of the Christmas holiday at the busy airport.

United flight attendants aren’t the only members of its flight crews that have been demanding pay boosts and better working conditions. Pilots have also picketed at Newark Airport in recent years after contract talks with the company stalled.

United pilots represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) ratified a new four-year contract last year. In addition, employees represented by International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAM) and United ratified a new two-year contract.

United Airlines recently announced its fourth-quarter financial results for 2023, which included a total operating revenue of $13.6 billion – up 9.9 percent compared to fourth-quarter 2022.

“Our plans really came together in 2023, and I want to thank the United team for all of the hard work it took to get us there,” United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby wrote.

“Despite unpredictable headwinds, we delivered on our ambitious EPS target that few thought possible – and set new operational records for our customers,” Kirby continued. “Looking ahead, we expect these trends to continue and United is incredibly well-positioned to capitalize on them and to deliver on our short and long-term financial targets.”

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