Negotiations Update
Hello everyone,
Your USE Negotiating Committee is committed to keeping you up to date on what is going on with negotiations.
NEGOTIATIONS:
Last week we had our first session with management. Management requested this meeting to lay out their vision for negotiations.
The meeting lasted a handful of minutes and consisted of them expressing AFA’s desire for a 1-year extension with a 3% raise. USE unequivocally made clear that this was insufficient.
Management also told us that they would only be able to negotiate (and not in-person) only four days in the next month—and for only one hour each time. Our USE Contract expires September 30th.
At our second meeting yesterday, USE presented our opening proposal:
One year extension
10% increase to all pay steps
Reimbursement for any vaccines not covered by insurance
Vacation: Employees may opt to be paid out or carry-over up to three weeks of vacation, in any combination (e.g. paid out for 2 weeks, carry-over 1 week).
Metrocheck/SmartCard - If an employee can substantiate that they spend in excess of $100 utilizing the metro to commute to work, then they will be eligible for up to that increased amount.
Retirement Incentive - USE and management will negotiate an ‘Early-Out” or “Retirement Incentive” package.
Set in-person negotiating dates in July/Aug in 2026
The one-hour meeting time slot was not long enough for management to receive our proposal and make a response. We will get their response at our next meeting, but hopefully sooner.
BACKGROUND: Since 2017 (2 contracts ago), USE negotiated wage increases have amounted to a compounded 20%. The CPI has risen 31% in that timeframe. Inflation continues to rise and the tariffs imposed will only exacerbate that situation. AFA’s proposed 3% would set us further back against inflation. Wonder what the Flight Attendants we fight so hard for would think about a 3% raise?
The fact that AFA has difficulty filling staff positions (and must come to USE to request starting pay at an accelerated pay step) should inform that we have reached a tipping point. Low pay cannot continue.
USE SURVEY RESULTS: For those of you who are not involved in Flight Attendant negotiations, we do not share survey results with Flight Attendants. Survey results are used as a guide for negotiating committees. It’s no secret, though, that everyone’s TOP ISSUE in our survey was COMPENSATION. We hope you understand that we do not provide survey results, as they could fall into management’s hands and inform on members’ bargaining priorities.
OTHER CWA UNIONS: We will be reaching out to inform the other CWA unions about our negotiations and to ask for their support.
UPCOMING NEGOTIATION HOURS:
September 24, 5-6 pm ET
September 25, 5-6 pm ET
September 29, 3-4 pm ET
USE MEETING
Normally we would schedule a USE meeting following our opening proposal and first response, however, we didn’t receive a response from management yet. We are planning the first USE negotiations meeting for members on Wednesday, September 24th at 7 pm ET. If we receive a response earlier, we will move up the meeting. Zoom link will be sent separately.
Stay tuned, and we will update you as soon as there is news.
In solidarity,
USE Negotiating Committee
Beth DeProspero
Kimberley Chaput
John Perry
USE Officers
Paula Mastrangelo, President
Megan Havern, Vice President
Theresa O’Donnal, Secretary-Treasurer
