Posted on 11/16/2004 2:17:23 PM PST by West Coast Conservative
The national president of the flight attendants union is threatening a nationwide strike against all airlines if any labor contracts are abrogated by a bankruptcy judge.
Both United Airlines and US Airways have asked a U.S. Bankruptcy Court to impose a series of concessions if consensual cost-cutting deals can not be reached soon.
"Airline management needs to understand that there will be serious consequences if they persist in their attacks on our contracts," said Pat Friend, president of the Association of Flight Attendants, which represents attendants at 26 airlines, including United and US Airways. Leaders of the union are meeting in Pittsburgh.
All told, AFA represents seven bankrupt carriers.
"Our entire industry is in turmoil and the careers of our flight attendants all hang in the balance," Friend said. "Pensions, for which flight attendants have dedicated many years of hard work, are being wiped out with the sound of a judge's gavel. Health care coverage for employees in an essentially unhealthy work environment is reaching cost levels unaffordable to flight attendants who every year sacrifice more of their income to 'save the airline.' Almost everywhere we look, flight attendants are being forced to work longer hours with reduced rest time, and all for ever-decreasing wages. This must stop."
Despite today's strike threat, negotiations between US Airways and the union will continue, according to flight attendants representative Teddy Xidas in Pittsburgh. The company is seeking $150 million in concessions, including the termination of the union pension plan. The national union will trigger a strike only if the bankruptcy judge grants the company's request to throw out the flight attendants' contract, she said.
The judge will hear that request Dec. 2 and 3.
(Excerpt) Read more at post-gazette.com ...
Does anybody in our Solar System not understand seatbelts by now?
Oh the HORROR......millions of travelers will have no way to get a pillow.
So.......nobody will kick me out of first class?
Geeez...I wonder if that means the stewardesses will also go out on strike?
Yikes! The friendly skies aren't so friendly anymore.
They exist for our "safety". Can't we just get the air marshalls to serve beverages? /sarc
More union rubes who are deceived into destroying their own careers. Sad.
Whoose gonnna b-b-bringg mee my DRINKK?!?
If I ran an airline that was being struck, I would immediately announce that the contract with the union was null and void due to union breach, give the strikers 24 hours to return to work, and then start hiring permanent replacements.
Buhh Buhy
I suppose stewardesses have helped out in those few incidents when people survived a disaster but face it: most of us are gonna die if there's a serious problem.
Some of them are still pretty, though. And now and then, they do have some peanuts left. But, sadly, it's pretty much just a bus with wings and cramped seats.
Oh, darn. I'll have to get my bottled water myself.
I flew this weekend and there was a Delta announcement in the terminal which said the flight to San Jose would not have any food and it was okay to bring your own drink and beverage aboard.
If they do stike and win, I hope they have an employer to come back to. Very similar to the International Harvester incidents of the early 80's.
With the level of service on flights today no one will even notice.
Well if they are going to walk out on the job that is their option. However, for their safety, I hope they don't walk out while an aircraft is in flight. The falling bodies would be a hazard.
Should be 'bring your own food and beverage aboard'.
And please make them pretty and friendly and gracious and smiling. You know, like they used to be back when air travel was still enjoyable. (sigh Yes, yes, I know...I'm ageing myself...)
I agree.
That means that the time I have to wait for a Coke or Pepsi will drop by at least 50%!
Start the strike now!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.