United Airlines flight attendants voted to authorize a strike Wednesday, but that doesn’t mean they’re about to walk off the job.
The airline’s flight attendants have been eligible to update their contract for nearly three years, according to the Association of Flight Attendants, and negotiations are ongoing. They’re just the latest working group at airlines to vote to authorize a strike.
“We deserve an industry-leading contract. Our strike vote shows we’re ready to do whatever it takes to reach the contract we deserve,” Ken Diaz, president of the United chapter of AFA said in a statement. “The 99.99% yes vote is a clear reminder that we are unified in the fight against corporate greed and ready to fight for our fair share of the profits we create.”
But travelers getting ready to head to the airport for Labor Day weekend don’t need to worry too much. The strike vote is just a procedural step, and while it does mean the chances of a strike are increased, it’s unlikely flight attendants will walk off the job. Even if they eventually do go on strike, it won’t happen immediately.
