United Airlines Flight Attendants File for Federal Mediation to Resolve Post-Merger Contract Issues

The union that represents flight attendants at United Airlines filed for federal mediation with the National Mediation Board on Thursday seeking a unified contract.

The union said it wanted to bring three years of contract negotiations to a close and allow United “to complete” its merger with Continental and Continental Micronesia.  United and Continental merged in 2010.

Flight attendants from both airlines continue to work separately, as if the two airlines had not merged, however, due to the lack of a joint contract.

“We are calling on management to negotiate a fair contract within the reality of record profits,” said Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.  “Three years after the talks for a joint contract began, management doesn’t seemed focused on negotiating a contract Flight Attendants can ratify,” she added.

If mediation does not result in a ratified agreement, the union may ask to be released, which could lead to a strike by flight attendants.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)