United Airlines Flight Attendants Protest Executive Pay Raises

United Airlines flight attendants picket at major hubs, demanding fair compensation as executive salaries soar, highlighted by CEO Scott Kirby’s 90% pay increase.

United Airlines flight attendants took to picketing at the airline’s major hubs across the U.S. and some international locations, voicing their demands for better pay and working conditions. This move comes in response to recent disclosures of significant pay increases for the airline’s top executives, including a notable 90% increase for CEO Scott Kirby, who earned nearly $18.6 million in 2023, up from $9.8 million the previous year.

The protests, organized by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, underscore a growing discontent among cabin crew over disparities in wage adjustments. Chris Bruton, president of Local United AFA Council 9, expressed frustration over the negotiation process, stating, "The money is there, the resources are there. We are told that we’re valued, but our contract and the company’s unwillingness to negotiate in a fair and reasonable manner doesn’t bear that out."

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for a flight attendant is around $68,000, a stark contrast to the multi-million compensation packages of the airline's executives. The flight attendants are calling for improvements in their contracts, particularly around issues of work-life balance and overall compensation.

United Airlines responded to the protests by affirming their commitment to reaching an industry-leading agreement for their flight attendants. The airline stated, “Since last month we’ve been meeting with the Association of Flight Attendants and the federal mediator they requested as we continue to work toward an industry-leading agreement for our flight attendants. Our negotiations are continuing this week and we have additional dates scheduled later this month.”

The ongoing negotiations highlight a broader issue within the airline industry where flight attendants have long voiced their need for better contracts. The current protests follow similar actions by other airline staff, such as Alaska Airlines’ cabin crew earlier in the year.

As negotiations continue, the outcome remains uncertain, but the flight attendants are determined to push for a resolution that reflects their contribution to the airline’s operations.