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Nationwide Flight Attendant Walkout Threatened
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | Tuesday, November 16, 2004 | Dan Fitzpatrick

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 ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: afaidiots; airlines; attendant; strike; walkout
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To: West Coast Conservative
I have a comment about a beach and some stewardess in some island resort some time back... mmmmm....stewardess.
61 posted on 11/16/2004 4:24:07 PM PST by Porterville (IT'S GOOD TO BE REPUBLICAN- ASK ME HOW)
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To: All

Dumb ass unions...


62 posted on 11/16/2004 4:25:01 PM PST by COEXERJ145
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To: Yaelle
TO EMPTY THE PLANE IN 3 MINUTES???

I can do that and I have no special training. Just feed me a couple of bean burritos the night before ....

63 posted on 11/16/2004 4:35:58 PM PST by reg45
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To: HitmanNY

I don't consider any of those attributes to be sins, either. And the women who held those jobs did not have guns at their heads when they took them. But just because customers liked it, and employees liked it -- why, Heaven forbid, we could not allow such a dreadful state of affairs to go unchecked.


64 posted on 11/16/2004 4:55:45 PM PST by speedy
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To: TChris

When are these idiots going to understand that they are part of the reason the airlines are going bankrupt!?
More union rubes who are deceived into destroying their own careers. Sad""

There are still union members in South Bend, Indiana who are waiting for Studebaker to come back and open up.


65 posted on 11/16/2004 6:44:45 PM PST by ridesthemiles (ridesthemiles)
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To: Pukin Dog

At Delta, we are going without a raise for 5 years. Maybe we can replace these women with Hooters girls?""

I am self- employed. I am making the same hourly rate today that I put into play Jan 1 of 1989. The area I am in just won't pay any more. For those who expect a "raise" every year, etc, I feel for you, but there are others who have harder problems. Also, I have had no health insurance for over 9 years because the premium went ballistic and I could afford it.


66 posted on 11/16/2004 6:47:23 PM PST by ridesthemiles (ridesthemiles)
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To: ridesthemiles

over 9 years because the premium went ballistic and I could afford it.""


OOOPS That should read: COULD NOT afford it.


67 posted on 11/16/2004 6:52:16 PM PST by ridesthemiles (ridesthemiles)
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To: West Coast Conservative

Do Hooters Air gals fall under this union? If not, who gives a F**K.


68 posted on 11/16/2004 7:18:53 PM PST by Growler
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To: West Coast Conservative; All
For all of you who miss the flight attendents of days gone by, fly down to India and take a trip on "Kingfisher Airlines" href = "http://www.flykingfisher.com/flyingmodels.htm"

All of their flight attendents are models. Have fun!

69 posted on 11/16/2004 8:26:53 PM PST by USMMA_83 (Do onto Muslims as they would most certainly do onto you)
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To: West Coast Conservative

Big deal.

Years ago, the vacation began when I got to the airport.

Now, air travel is something that must be endured.

Stewardesses... ahhh.... They were pretty, attentive, and most had a great sense of humor. ("Would everyone please take their seats so the pilot can see to back up.")

Now, most of them look like Nurse Diesel and have the personality of Otto Preminger.

Fly if you gotta, but grit your teeth.


70 posted on 11/16/2004 8:36:13 PM PST by Pete'sWife (Dirt is for racing... asphalt is for getting there.)
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To: I Drive Too Fast

I'll drink to that!!!


71 posted on 11/17/2004 8:26:20 AM PST by windcliff
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