The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA
today announced that the union has reached a tentative agreement with
United Airlines. United management had sought additional concessions as
the airline continues to reorganize in bankruptcy. The agreement for
contract changes is now subject to approval by the flight attendants’
Master Executive Council and ratification by the union’s membership. “Under the onerous realities of the bankruptcy process, flight attendants
are faced with difficult decisions about our future,” said Greg
Davidowitch, President of the AFA’s United Master Executive Council. “We
have fought management every step of the way to ensure that this agreement
would not provide a penny more from flight attendants than is legally
necessary. We sought to ensure that any contractual change would be shaped
in a way that avoids destruction of our career.”

This newest agreement for concessions does not include changes in the area
of pensions, and AFA continues to forcefully oppose the elimination of the
flight attendants’ pension plan. Additional details of the agreement will
not be announced until after the union’s leadership meets to review and
consider approval of the contractual changes.

“While a consensual agreement avoids the destructive potential for court
rejection of the flight attendant contract, no one should minimize the
decision our members face in considering additional sacrifices,”
Davidowitch stated.

The AFA United Master Executive Council will meet in Chicago for a special
closed session on Tuesday, January 11, 2005, to discuss the agreement.
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