United Flight Attendants Deserve Better – It’s Time to Remove AFA-CWA

For nearly five years, United Airlines flight attendants have been pushed to the brink—working under stagnant wages, unfair conditions, and a union that no longer fights for us. Instead of advocating for us, AFA-CWA has abandoned us, aligning with United Airlines management while our quality of life deteriorates.

AFA-CWA has failed to secure a contract for nearly five years, yet they continue to deduct dues from our paychecks while delivering nothing in return. While flight attendants struggle, union leadership voted themselves a 37% raise and continue collecting our money without securing a fair contract. They protect their own interests while we are left behind.

Wage theft is rampant, and flight attendants have lost thousands due to payroll errors, unfair policies, and company mismanagement—yet AFA-CWA has done nothing to hold United Airlines accountable. Instead, we are left fighting alone when our paychecks come up short. Meanwhile, the reserve system is failing new hires, driving them to quit because they cannot survive financially under a system that leaves them exhausted, unstable, and unable to plan their lives.

AFA-CWA’s betrayal of its members runs even deeper. When United Airlines offered to reinstate our pensions, AFA-CWA’s Master Executive Council (MEC) voted against it. Thousands of flight attendants lost their financial security because our own union leadership rejected the offer, choosing to protect their own gains instead.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, AFA-CWA secretly agreed to a side letter with United Airlines regarding the vaccine mandate—without consulting the membership. Flight attendants were forced to comply or be terminated, while others were placed on indefinite unpaid leave with no financial support. AFA-CWA aligned itself with the company instead of fighting for our rights. This decision was made behind closed doors, with no transparency and no opportunity for membership engagement.

While we fight for fair wages, United Airlines executives reward themselves with massive bonuses and stock buybacks, boosting their wealth while refusing to pay flight attendants fairly. AFA-CWA has remained silent, once again proving that their true allegiance lies with corporate interests, not flight attendants.

And then came the ultimate betrayal—the 2024 strike vote. 99.9% of voting United flight attendants approved a strike, yet AFA-CWA refused to act. Instead of fighting for the contract we deserve, they chose delays, distractions, and empty promises. We gave them our mandate, and they ignored it.

This Is Not Union Busting – This Is About Real Representation

We are not anti-union—we are against a corrupt, ineffective union that no longer serves us. A union should fight for its members, not sell them out. We need representation that fights for us—not against us.

How Can You Help?
 1. Sign the Petition – We need 50% of flight attendants to sign in order to trigger an election for new, effective representation.
 2. Spread the Word – Talk to your colleagues. Share the facts. This is our future, and we all have a role to play.
 3. Stand Together – The union and management will try to scare us into staying with the status quo. Do not be intimidated.

We Can’t Afford to Wait Any Longer

The time for excuses and delays is over. We deserve better.

This is our chance to reclaim our power, fight for what we deserve, and build a union that actually represents us.

Sign the petition today – the future of our profession depends on it.