AUSTIN, Texas — Flight attendants with United Airlines picketed across the country on Wednesday, after the union representing the airline's flight attendants voted to authorize a strike.
This is the first time flight attendants at the major airline have voted on strike authorization since 2005. It also follows recent strike authorization votes at American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines and others.
Demonstrations included one at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport after the strike was authorized.
Flight attendants at Austin's airport say they are looking for double-digit pay increases and "time on the ground" pay to be included in paid hours. Right now, flight attendants are only on the clock while a plane is in flight and aren't paid for for time while the plane boards and deplanes.
"We need a raise. We can't wait any longer," David Bannister, a local council representative for the flight attendants' union, said. "We are unified and ready for this contract to be done. United Airlines flight attendants do not want to strike. But we are ready for one."
The flight attendants are also demanding retroactive pay for money they missed out on, heightened job security and retirement benefits.