Tales from the Pickle

I grew up in Texas. I was the daughter of a business executive. I was very unclear of anything related to unions.... until I joined one. As a flight attendant, in my opinion, it is extremely beneficial to be unionized. Almost all flight attendants at almost all airlines are union. This brings me around to the strike question. What do I think about it? I think that it might be an unfortunate necessity to achieve the pay and benefits due back to flight attendants.

Since it is in the news a lot lately, I have been fielding some questions about the possible strike, and what it would mean, would I strike? Would it hurt my company? and so on....

Here is the very basic information and why there could be a strike by flight attendants at my company. (as I see it)... A union and a company usually come up with a contract every few years. (the time is decided by the previous contract.) The contract defines, work rules, pay, benefits, just about everything related to my job. In 2000 our members were rewarded a fantastic contract with agreeable rules, pay, benefits, and opportunities. In 2001, we all know how 9-11 changed the world. It changed just about everything about air travel. There were substantial lay-offs and the company proposed all unions to vote on a TEMPORARY contract that would help save jobs and money. So, the members voted against the proposed contract, because it was a huge pay decrease. The company gave an ultimatum and proposed that the union send out another vote. This time, it was passed. It was a 17% decrease in pay. It also limited layover time, cut perdiem, raised number of hours worked on reserve, took away f/a meals, and much more.

Flash forward.... 2009 came (I believe that contract was up in June) and went. It is now March 2010 and for the past 23 months the company and union have been meeting and trying to come to an agreement. The company is not willing to give ANY of the pay back, and is actually trying to raise the cost of benefits, and make f/as work more. This would mean more layoffs. Including me. It is all very strange, because the membership sacrificed for the better of the company, and now would like some of the good faith promises returned. We shall see what happens.

In the news, they have been talking about a strike vote. The strike process is very long, and very much government regulated. It is planned and organized, and probably would cause a lot of damage. (IMO)

Of course, I would strike. I would never not strike. I think it is pitiful for someone to not make the sacrifice, but retain all of the benefits from the ones that did. They are called scabs.