United Flight Attendants Launch Campaign to Win Contract

Led by CWA/AFA President Sara Nelson chanting "No Justice, No Peace on Earth!", United flight attendants joined by Machinists, Pilots and other labor supporters marched outside the United terminal at Washington National Airport on Thursday. (A similar rally took place at Dulles Airport.) The informational picket was the local launch of an international campaign to call attention to the fact that United flight attendants have been working for more than 5 years -- since the merger with Continental -- without a contract. Prior to that, flight attendants were forced to give back pay and benefits when the predecessor United declared bankruptcy. Speaking to the marchers, Nelson (second from left) declared, "It's our turn!" after watching the merged United declare record profits and pay bonuses to executives, including a multi-million-dollar buyout of its deposed CEO. CWA/AFA plans to hold third Thursday actions until a new contract is reached.
- report/photo by Dan Duncan

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