US Airways Flight Attendants To Take Strike Vote

6,700 Flight Attendants Determined to Achieve a Meaningful Contract

PHOENIX, Oct. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Flight Attendant leaders for the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), representing US Airways Flight Attendants, today announced a strike vote to back up their demands for a single contract in the US Airways/America West merger.  The strike vote will open on October 31 and close November 20.  In a message released to members earlier this morning, union leaders stated:

"On Tuesday, October 9, your AFA leadership met to discuss the next steps to obtain a fair contract for US Airways Flight Attendants...At the meeting, both MECs unanimously authorized sending out a strike ballot to US Airways Flight Attendants. We remain focused on achieving a contract that works for all of us and in order to do that, we need to back up our demands by taking action together. We will be providing detailed information regarding the strike vote, including strategic information on AFA's trademarked CHAOS™ strike tactics.

"The decision to take a strike vote is not made lightly. It was the result of full deliberation of all strategic options.  Despite emphatic arguments made by your JNC, US Airways management has consistently refused to address your concerns. The unanimous conclusion of every AFA Officer - Local, MEC and International - was a strike vote is necessary to achieve a different dynamic for these negotiations.

"We have to make clear what we are willing to do to achieve the contract we expect. Management has heard it from your leadership. They've seen the result of individual votes. Through a strong strike vote they will See US Together – Hear US Together. We can change our future through our unity."

The strike vote is unanimously endorsed by the leadership of the union including all Local leaders representing US Airways Flight Attendants and the AFA International Officers.

The Association of Flight Attendants is the world's largest Flight Attendant union. Focused 100 percent on Flight Attendant issues, AFA has been the leader in advancing the Flight Attendant profession for 67 years. Serving as the voice for Flight Attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill, AFA has transformed the Flight Attendant profession by raising wages, benefits and working conditions.  Nearly 60,000 Flight Attendants and retired members come together to form AFA, part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afacwa.org and www.rafa-cwa.org.

SOURCE Association of Flight Attendants