Following Double-Digit Compensation for Executives United Airlines Flight Attendants Pickett for Fair Contracts

United Airlines flight attendants across the nation took to the picket line today in response to the release of the airline’s proxy statement, which revealed that executives received double-digit compensation hikes last year.

United CEO Scott Kirby, in particular, saw his compensation package increase 90 percent from 2022 to 2023, according to a statement issued by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, which represents United attendants. Kirby’s compensation increased from $9.8 million to $18.6 million.

Similarly, United president, Brett Hart saw his compensation rise from $3.5 million in 2022 to $15 million in 2023.

“If the airline has money to award execs with massive compensation increases, we expect to receive the same,” said Ken Diaz, AFA United president said in a statement. “United Flight Attendants are the lifeblood of this airline, and management needs to come to the table now with an offer that reflects our critical contribution.”

United Attendants, who are represented by AFA, picketed at a total of 17 airports worldwide. They're calling upon United to “stop delay tactics and reach a fair contract.”

United flight attendants and its executive management took part in a second federally-mediated bargaining session this week. AFA filed a request for federal mediators to step in after it said that the airline’s management would not jointly enter an “expedited process to conclude two years of overdue negotiations.”

AFA said in its statement issued today that flight attendants worked through the pandemic after “years of austerity following 9/11 and massive consolidation,” adding: “The improvements due now are significant.”

At the picket action in Denver International Airport, Chris Bruton, president of Local United AFA Council 9, said United Airlines has the ability to provide attendants with a better compensation package.

“The money is there, the resources are there,” Bruton told a local Fox reporter. “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.”

The attendants union has also pointed out that flight attendants are working “harder than ever” in “increasingly difficult working conditions,” according to Fox 31. United has been increasing its flight miles, while also launching new destinations and taking delivery of new aircraft. All of this, according to attendants, is further proof that United has the resources to compensate attendants more adequately.

Meanwhile, at San Diego International Airport, a group of United attendants picketed with signs that read “Corporate greed doesn’t fly” and “World class airline, world class contract.”

Flight Attendants and management are scheduled to return to the negotiation table for more mediated sessions at some point over the coming weeks.

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