AFA-CWA Seeks Election for 24,000 Flight Attendants at Merged UAL/Continental

In the wake of the merger between United and Continental Airlines, AFA-CWA is seeking an election to bring Continental's 9,300 flight attendants into the union and ensure that they have all the benefits and advocacy that AFA provides.

"This merger and the extraordinary financial turnaround underway at United are only possible because flight attendants at both airlines have invested hard work and sacrifices over the years," said Greg Davidowitch, AFA United President. "Management must know that the flight attendant workforce is unified, and that we expect the best contract at the world's leading airline."

Specifically, AFA-CWA has asked the National Mediation Board to declare that the United/Continental merger has created a single transportation system, which would trigger a representation election for the combined workforce. AFA-CWA already represents 15,000 United flight attendants. With Continental's employees, 24,000 flight attendants would be eligible to vote.

AFA-CWA is reaching out to Continental's flight attendants, now represented by the Machinists, about the many ways AFA-CWA has improved its members' wages, benefits, working conditions and safety.

"As the world's largest flight attendant union, run by and for flight attendants, this is a wonderful opportunity to welcome our flying partners at Continental to AFA," AFA International President Veda Shook said. "AFA has been the leader in advancing the flight attendant profession since a group of United flight attendants joined together in 1945 to create our union. Throughout the years, AFA has fought for and won major changes in our industry. We have transformed our profession."