United Airlines flight attendants gatecrashed a company press event to protest over contracts as negotiations between the airline and a trade union continue.
The media event, attended by the United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby, was being held to unveil the carrier’s new Polaris business class cabins when flight attendants appeared waving banners and chanting.
In a video shared on social media around a dozen or so flight attendants could be heard shouting, “What do we want? Contract! When do we want it now!” while brandishing signs that read “World class airline, world class contract” and “Contract now!”.
Individuals dressed in suits were seen trying to ushed the protestors aways as they shouted, “If we don’t get it, shut it down!”.
The protest, first reported by One Mile at a Time, came as Association of Flight Attendants-CWA and United Airlines representatives continue to negotiate a new contract in Chicago.
It is hoped that when the three-week talks conclude that a tentative agreement between the two parties can be reached.
The Association of Flight Attendants remonstrated United Airlines on May 13, 2025, for announcing new premium cabins while “continuing to demand concessions” from flight attendants.
“Service doesn’t happen without us. United has the money to invest in an industry-leading Flight Attendant contract with ‘premium’ compensation, work rules, and cabin interiors,” said AFA International President Sara Nelson and United AFA President Ken Diaz.
The FAs have their say at today’s UA new Polaris event pic.twitter.com/eyooJNbEGT
— JonNYC (@xJonNYC) May 13, 2025
“No other Flight Attendant contract across the industry in this round of bargaining included concessions. Not one,” continued Nelson and Diaz. “Today’s announcement adds insult to injury. Scott Kirby has no business demanding concessions while stuffing his own pockets with gold and beating his chest about United being the best. Right now, he’s just beating competitors by failing to pay us – the people who make United fly.”
According to the Association of Flight Attendants, pay for United cabin crew members has fallen behind competitors despite the airline achieving record profits.
United flight attendants are calling for “significant double-digit base pay increases to lead the industry” and boarding pay.
United Airlines management today announced new premium cabins while continuing to demand concessions from Flight Attendants in negotiations this week.
“Service doesn’t happen without us,” said @FlyingWithSara & @AFAUnitedMEC Pres. Ken Diaz. https://t.co/9KfxdbMy4h #ContractNow https://t.co/vjAvgHHIuH
— AFA-CWA (@afa_cwa) May 13, 2025
They also want more schedule flexibility, job security, retirement improvements and retroactive pay dating back to their contract’s amendable date.
“United CEO Scott Kirby has received a 246% increase in compensation in just the last two years while leaving Flight Attendants nearly four years past due on a raise and contract,” the union said.
It added: “CEO Scott Kirby can roll out all the new product announcements he wants — it means nothing without respect for the people who deliver it […] A new aircraft cabin doesn’t pay rent, allow us to come to work without stress over paying our bills, attract new applicants, or give us the schedule control we need to have a life.”
