Flight attendants union sends out strike ballots to US Airways employees

Airline Industry Information, Nov 26, 2004

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) has sent 5,000 strike ballots to its members employed by bankrupt airline US Airways following its decision to seek court-approved cancellation of labour agreements.

The AFA's international president Patricia Friend said that the move is a wake-up call to airlines that flight attendants will not stand by as they attempt to manipulate the courts into destroying their livelihoods. Both US Airways and United Airlines have applied for permission to cancel not only labour agreements but also pension plans and medical benefits.

The AFA said that if US Airways' flight attendants vote to strike it may trigger a wider strike as fellow AFA members at other airlines show their support. Talks between US Airways and the AFA are continuing over the weekend of 26-28 November 2004.

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