FAs Say They Will Implement 'CHAOS' If New Contract Is Not Reached

PSA Airlines Flight Attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), have overwhelmingly authorized a strike should management fail to negotiate a new contract with terms that are fair to the PSA Flight Attendants. After mediated negotiations recently stalled over compensation, retirement, insurance and related issues, PSA Flight Attendants sent what the union calls a "loud and clear message" to management that action will be taken if a new, improved agreement is not reached. PSA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of US Airways Group, Inc. and operates as a US Airways Express carrier.

"PSA Flight Attendants are ready to do whatever it takes to ensure that a new, improved contract recognizes our meaningful role as first responders. If management refuses to respect the contributions, PSA Flight Attendants have made to the success of our carrier, they should be prepared for 'CHAOS'," said L.C. Acor, AFA PSA Vice President, in a news release issued Wednesday.

Throughout negotiations, AFA has addressed Flight Attendant concerns while management continues to make regressive proposals. This lack of progress could lead to the National Mediation Board (NMB) declaring that negotiations are deadlocked and release both parties into a 30-day "cooling off" period leading to a strike deadline. AFA has a trademarked strike strategy known as CHAOS or Create Havoc Around Our System. With CHAOS, a strike could affect the entire system or a single flight. The union decides when, where and how to strike without notice to management or passengers. 

"Flight Attendants at PSA have made great contributions to the success of the carrier and are a key component to the overall success of US Airways. We are not willing to settle for less. This strike vote was not taken lightly but PSA Flight Attendants want a new contract. Until management is able to offer a reasonable agreement that allows us to move forward, we are prepared to strike," added Acor.

After many years of financial difficulties, US Airways has returned to profitability. The union contends that FAs at all US Airways carriers should share in that success.

FMI: www.afacwa.org