Mesa Air Flight Attendants Demand Fair Contract Amid Negotiations

Mesa Air Flight Attendants Push for Fair Wages Amid Contract Negotiations

The ongoing struggle for improved working conditions and pay continues as Mesa Air flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), engage in federally mediated contract negotiations. These discussions, overseen by the National Mediation Board (NMB), are crucial for the 560 flight attendants seeking better compensation.

Shannon Harris, President of Mesa AFA, emphasized the urgent need for progress. "It’s time to add pressure and urgency to these negotiations and raise the standards for Mesa Flight Attendants. Flight Attendants at Mesa need relief now in order to make ends meet. It’s time to get this done and if United Airlines has ‘extra cash’ for Wall Street with a $1.5 billion stock buyback they certainly have cash to lift us out of poverty wages,” Harris remarked.

The negotiations come amid concerns regarding the "regional airline" business model. Though Mesa operates under the United Express brand, United Airlines controls the pay and conditions for Mesa employees. This model allows for significant profits while reportedly maintaining lower wages and benefits for its regional workers compared to those employed directly by United.

According to AFA International President Sara Nelson, the current pay disparity is substantial, with Mesa flight attendants earning approximately 45% less than their United counterparts for similar duties. “Passengers board these United-branded flights unaware that the Flight Attendants working them are paid nearly 45% less for the same work,” Nelson stated. She further criticized the existing contract framework, calling for an end to what she described as a "two-tiered" employment system within the aviation industry.

The NMB-led negotiations are set to continue in New Orleans, where Mesa Air flight attendants will advocate for a contract that acknowledges their vital role in United’s operations.

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA represents over 55,000 flight attendants across different airlines, focusing on improving wages, benefits, and working conditions. For more information, visit www.afacwa.org.