AFA Official Says Deal Is Good For Both The Airline And The Union

Flight Attendants at United Airlines, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), have ratified a contract covering the 15,000 pre-merger United Flight Attendants. An overwhelming majority of Flight Attendants, 88.5 percent, participated in the vote and 70.4 percent solidly cast their ballots in favor of the agreement. This agreement was reached on January 7, 2012, utilizing a innovative process modeled on the National Mediation Board's Expedited Mediation Program. This is the first post-bankruptcy contract for United Flight Attendants.

"This agreement is good for Flight Attendants and good for the company. It addresses many immediate needs identified by United Flight Attendants and serves as a stepping-stone to single contract negotiations with our flying partners from Continental and Continental Micronesia," said Greg Davidowitch, president of AFA at United Airlines.

Successful conclusion to single contract negotiations is necessary in order for United to combine Flight Attendant work groups and complete the merger. The true benefit of a merger is realized through an operational integration and Flight Attendants are a key part of that process and the future success of United Airlines.

"We are pleased that our United flight attendants ratified this agreement, and will now start joint negotiations to develop a contract to bring all of our flight attendants together," said Sam Risoli, senior vice president of Inflight for United. "We have a lot of work ahead of us and look forward to productive discussions with the AFA."

The ratified contract includes significant quality of work life enhancements, new job security protections, scheduling and compensation improvements, including an immediate ten percent wage increase and distribution of a $5,000 signing bonus. "Our main goal in Expedited Mediation was to secure significant compensation and quality of work life improvements that Flight Attendants told us were must-haves, before moving onto single contract negotiations. Importantly, this agreement requires United to return to the negotiating table for single contact negotiations no later than this summer," added Davidowitch.

FMI: www.UnitedContinentalHoldings.com, www.afanet.org