July 16--About 100 United flight attendants marched outside Willis Tower on Thursday to demand a resolution to joint contract negotiations now three years in the works.
"Friendly isn't free," they chanted, taking a jab at the airline's iconic "Fly the Friendly Skies" slogan, which was resurrected in 2013.
Clad in their black or blue uniforms, the flight attendants, some bused in from O'Hare Airport, carried signs that read "Record profit$$$. It's our turn" and "Share Price Doesn't Save Lives. We do." United, headquartered at Willis Tower, reported record 2014 profits, buoyed by strong demand and low fuel prices.
The Association of Flight Attendants, the union representing United's 24,000 flight attendants, for three years has been working with the airline on a joint contract that covers the employees of both United and Continental, which merged in 2010.
In addition to seeking higher wages and benefits, the union is negotiating provisions dealing with job security, flexibility, hotel standards, scheduling and rest time, said Sara Nelson, international president of the Association of Flight Attendants.
"We are fighting to maintain these protections we have," Nelson said. In addition, she said, "we expect that we're going to get a big return here too because the airline is doing really well."
The delay in securing a joint contract has presented some operational constraints. For example, United flight attendants can't work on Continental planes, and vice versa.
United spokeswoman Megan McCarthy said the airline agrees that the talks are taking too long.
"It is very important to us to have all of the flight attendants on the same contract," McCarthy said. She added: "United is prepared to offer flight attendants an industry-leading joint agreement."
United flight attendants staged protests at 20 sites across 18 cities Thursday, from Hong Kong to Las Vegas. Chicago protests were held simultaneously at Willis Tower and O'Hare.
United has reached joint agreements with all of its employee groups except for the flight attendants and mechanics, who staged a protest last month, that closed gaps in pay, productivity rules and benefits, the airline said in a memo Wednesday to employees.
Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, the dominant carrier at Midway Airport, recently reached a six-year tentative labor contract agreement with flight attendants, represented by the Transport Workers Union, calling for pay increases made up of a combination of 3 percent raises and bonuses through 2019, among other perks.
Flight attendant salaries generally start at about $20,000 a year, and longtime employees can make upwards of $50,000 if they work more or fly in premium positions, Nelson said.
aelejalderuiz@tribpub.com
