Understanding what a Strike Authorization Vote means

Contract Negotiations - Strike Vote Q & A 

Q. What is a strike vote?

A. Although we call it a “strike vote,” it is actually a “strike authorization vote.” This vote authorizes the Master Executive Council (MEC) to call a strike when it becomes legally and tactically appropriate to do so.

Q. Why are we taking a strike authorization vote?

A. Because we deserve a fair contract, and management does not seem interested in giving us one! A strike vote sends a clear message that we are committed to fighting for the contract we have earned. 

Q. Will we go on strike as soon as the vote is counted?

A. No. The Railway Labor Act (RLA) really sees strikes as a last resort. The RLA was written to force the parties to make every effort to resolve their disputes without interrupting interstate commerce. There are several things that would have to happen before we could strike:

• Take the strike vote.
• Convince the National Mediation Board (NMB) that we are at an impasse and then lobby for a “proffer of arbitration.” This proffer (or offer, as we say in the 21st Century) would allow an arbitrator to decide our contract for us, so even though we asked for it, we would decline the proffer.
• Once the proffer is declined, the NMB would put us into a 30-day cooling off period. During this time, the parties engage in “super mediation.” These are very intense negotiations intended to end in a tentative agreement.
• If no tentative agreement is reached by midnight of the 30th day, the NMB would release the parties into self-help. For management, that would mean the right to impose work rules (generally, their last offer) or lock us out (prevent us from coming to work, which effectively shuts down the company). For us, it means we can finally strike, and for AFA Flight Attendants, that means CHAOS™.

Each of these steps can take a long time. While we may lobby the NMB for a proffer to start the strike countdown, asking is not the same as getting. The NMB usually has three members (two from the United States President’s party and one from the other party), and they alone will determine if we are released. (Side note: The President fired one of the Democratic members remaining from the Biden Administration, but has not yet replaced them.) 

The Railway Labor Act is designed to resolve labor disputes and to make every effort to avoid any disruption to interstate commerce. In short, a strike, if it comes to that, is at least months away. That said, it is essential for the NMB, the mediator and the company to know that we mean business! If they do not believe that our work group will do whatever it takes, the company will not be motivated to reach an agreement, and the NMB would have no reason to make a proffer of arbitration. 

Q. If we vote yes on a strike vote, does that mean we are definitely going to strike?

A. No. It send the message that you support our priorities and that you would be willing to strike, if necessary.

Q. What is a CHAOS™ strike?

A. In a typical strike, all workers strike at one time and remain on strike until a tentative agreement is reached. AFA doesn’t do that. Instead, we use Create Havoc Around Our System, familiarly known as CHAOS™, a series of unannounced surprise strikes using a small number of Flight Attendants. For example, we might strike Flight 2XXX on October 12. The Flight Attendants on that flight would know in advance, but management would not know until it was time to board! Or we might strike all flights into and out of Bozeman one day. Again, it would not be announced in advance. But when the action is over, the Flight Attendants immediately demand to be returned to work. The idea of CHAOS™, is that passengers would book away from Horizon, since they wouldn’t know if their flight would take off. It also minimizes the amount of Flight Attendants on strike, and the length of such strikes.

Q. Who can vote in the strike vote?

A. All members in good standing. As long as you have been flying for at least four months and your dues are current, you will be able to vote.

Q. When are we actually taking the vote?

A. We are waiting to see management’s proposals this week, and will then discuss timing with our International Office. We want to make sure all our ducks are in a row. And most importantly, there will be enough lead time for everyone to be involved.

More information will be coming out over the next few weeks. If you have specific questions in the meantime, please reach out to your Local Officers.

One Union, One Voice!