I’m unsure how that is going to finish, although I can’t think about it’ll be good for labor relations…
Protesting United flight attendants reportedly in hassle
Yesterday, United had a media occasion in Brooklyn, to rejoice the launch of its new Polaris enterprise class product. Previous to executives on the airline taking the stage, roughly a dozen flight attendants stormed into the occasion, walked round in entrance of the stage holding indicators, and screamed. Particularly, they chanted issues like “if we don’t get it, shut it down.”
That is in reference to flight attendants not but having a brand new contract, practically 4 years after their earlier contract grew to become amendable. Flight attendants have accused administration of dragging their ft in making a good provide.
Beneath you’ll be able to see a small a part of the protest. The flight attendants have been in the end escorted out by safety.
FA’s have their say at at present’s UA new Polaris occasion
— JonNYC (@xjonnyc.bsky.social) Might 13, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Many people questioned if there could be repercussions for them, and now we’ve the reply. @xJonNYC stories that the flight attendants concerned within the protest have been faraway from service, pending an investigation. Whereas he initially mentioned it was “100% unconfirmed,” he up to date it to “fairly confirmed,” and he is aware of what he’s speaking about.
***reportedly** (100% unconfirmed) “Reportedly the FA protestors have been faraway from service pending investigations”
— JonNYC (@xjonnyc.bsky.social) Might 14, 2025 at 1:03 PM
fairly confirmed
— JonNYC (@xjonnyc.bsky.social) Might 14, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Now, it stays to be seen what this investigation truly reveals. Will the flight attendants lose their jobs or be punished, or is that this only for present, to attempt to forestall different flight attendants from doing the identical?
My tackle United punishing protesting flight attendants
I feel this example actually will get on the complexity of labor relations between main firms and unionized workforces, and seeing how far boundaries may be pushed.
United flight attendants completely deserve a brand new contract, and it has taken approach too lengthy to get that ratified. United CEO Scott Kirby has promised them an business main contract, but they’re nonetheless being paid approach lower than their counterparts at different airways.
I’m not totally positive if the dearth of ratification is as a result of administration is being unreasonable, the union is being unreasonable, or one thing within the center. In spite of everything, American flight attendants have ratified a brand new contract, in order that ought to be roughly what United flight attendants ought to count on as nicely.
By way of flight attendants drawing consideration to their reason behind wanting a brand new contract, I feel storming a media occasion that the CEO is at is actually a sensible strategy to maximize the eye {that a} demand will get. So that they thought that half by way of.
However, , actions even have penalties. It’s one factor to protest outdoors of an occasion, in public. However to enter an occasion that you just’re not invited to, that’s being held by your individual firm, appears to cross the road, no? I completely help their want for a brand new contract, but additionally, there are boundaries you don’t cross. I’m unsure to what extent the union will have the ability to defend this habits and save these jobs.
That being mentioned, I’m unsure it’s in administration’s greatest curiosity to take excessive motion right here. I can respect administration desirous to flex its muscle groups and ship a message to flight attendants not to do that, however I feel terminating these workers could be very unhealthy for labor relations and morale, and never within the firm’s greatest curiosity.
Backside line
Yesterday, we noticed roughly a dozen United flight attendants storm right into a Polaris media occasion, so as to specific their displeasure over their lack of a contract. They ended up being escorted out by safety, however that’s not all. These flights attendants have now reportedly been suspended pending an investigation.
It’s going to be fascinating to see how that is dealt with. On the one hand, I feel their habits completely crossed the road, as that is totally different than protesting outdoors of an occasion. Alternatively, I’m unsure angering frontline staff by taking severe motion is in United’s greatest curiosity both, when it comes to morale
What do you make of this example, and the way do you see it taking part in out?
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