Piedmont Airlines Flight Attendants Support Strike By Strong Majority

Piedmont Airlines flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), has sent what they say is a "loud and clear message" that if management fails to negotiate a new agreement, a strike could result at the airline. The strike was authorized by 98 percent of participating flight attendants. Piedmont is a wholly owned subsidiary of US Airways Group, Inc. and operates as a US Airways Express carrier.

"Piedmont flight attendants have been focused on reaching an agreement that recognizes the value our professionalism brings to the airline. It is time that management move forward with negotiations and work with us to reach an agreement that reflects the contributions Piedmont Flight Attendants have made to the success of the US Airways system," said Anita Jwanouskos, AFA Piedmont President. "At this point, it is up to Piedmont management. Should they continue to ignore our critical role as First Responders and fail to reach an agreement, then they should be prepared for CHAOS."

AFA has a trademarked strike strategy known as CHAOS or Create Havoc Around Our System.  With CHAOS, a strike could affect the entire system or a single flight.  The union decides when, where and how to strike without notice to management or passengers. Throughout negotiations, AFA has continued to address Flight Attendant concerns while management has made regressive proposals. This lack of progress could lead to the National Mediation Board (NMB) declaring that negotiations are deadlocked and releasing both parties into a 30-day "cooling off" period leading to a strike deadline. 

"Flight attendants at Piedmont did not take this strike vote lightly and our overwhelming decision to strike should show management the seriousness of this situation. Piedmont Flight Attendants are key partners in the overall success of US Airways and we want a contract that recognizes our part in any potential merger. We will not settle for less," added Jwanouskos.

FMI: www.afacwa.org