CHICAGO- United Airlines (UA) flight attendants are reportedly being approached at airport gates by union representatives ahead of a vote on a controversial new labor agreement. The encounters, taking place at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and other United hubs, are part of a last-minute push to rally support before voting begins on July 7, 2025.
The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) is spearheading the effort to gain approval for a tentative contract affecting 26,000 crew members. However, some employees are voicing concerns over the aggressive tactics used and the contract’s contents.
Representative Photo: United AirlinesUnited Flight Attendants New Contract
In the days leading up to the vote, AFA union reps have been seen actively engaging United Airlines (UA) crew members at boarding gates, delivering persuasive pitches about the tentative agreement.
This move has stirred unease among some flight attendants, who feel ambushed during work hours.
According to PYOK, the situation became public after an anonymous crew member posted a detailed account of one such encounter in a private Facebook group, which was later shared on Reddit.
The crew member described the union’s approach as intrusive and pressured, saying representatives attempted to corner the team at the gate, seemingly assuming they were uninformed. Others present reportedly tried to avoid the conversation but were still approached.
This push comes as the AFA attempts to secure enough support for a deal that has been five years in the making. Although the union highlights several financial and operational gains, skepticism among rank-and-file members remains high.
Photo: Clément AlloingContract Details and Concerns
The proposed agreement includes immediate and notable improvements, including:
- Average pay increase of 26.9%
- Boarding pay at 50% of the hourly flight rate
- Retroactive bonuses and per diem increases
- Downtown layover hotel options
- Retention of the current bidding system
Despite these gains, many flight attendants are disappointed that the contract does not include ground duty pay compensation for all time spent at work, not just time in flight. While boarding pay is a step forward, critics argue it falls short of earlier union promises.
One crew member quoted on Reddit expressed frustration when a union rep dismissed ground pay comparisons by saying other roles “don’t go anywhere,” which only fueled resentment among the workforce.
Photo: Aero Icarus | FlickrComparison With Other Airlines
Some United Airlines flight attendants believe that recent contracts won by crews at American Airlines (AA) and Southwest Airlines (WN) are more favorable. These comparisons are prompting calls for a rejection of the current deal to force the union back to the bargaining table.
Others have voiced concern about proposed changes to hotel arrangements during layovers and increased on-call expectations, suggesting that such terms could worsen work-life balance.
Although the union has attempted to clarify these issues, many believe their explanations are insufficient or have arrived too late.
Photo: Clément AlloingUncertain Outcome
The union insists the tentative agreement marks a historic step forward and dismisses much of the backlash as being based on misinformation. A spokesperson stated that it is “richer than any other contract at United or any other airline.”
Still, dissatisfaction among crew members persists. Reports from inside the airline suggest that many are not convinced by the union’s approach or the deal’s terms. As one flight attendant bluntly summarized online: “HELL NO.”
With voting scheduled to begin on July 7, the outcome remains uncertain, hinging on whether enough members view the contract as a victory or a missed opportunity.
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