Thousands of Flight Attendants from Alaska, Air Wisconsin, United, American, Southwest, Frontier and others, picketed outside more than 30 airports on February 13.

Flight Attendants represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), Transportation Workers Union (TWU) and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) joined forces in the protest which was over working conditions and contract disputes. 100,000 Flight Attendants at airlines across the industry are currently in contract negotiations according to the unions.

“Flight Attendants are fighting corporate greed and demanding our jobs make it possible to live a good life. Working people in every job and every industry can relate and we feel the people with us,” said Sara Nelson, AFA-CWA International President, representing 50,000 Flight Attendants at 19 airlines including United, Air Wisconsin and Alaska. “Our work brings people together from every part of the planet and showcases the strength of our diversity within our solidarity. We’re making history by standing together as one to make the airlines compete to the highest standards for our careers.”

READ: Southwest pilots agree deal, but cabin crew vote to strike

Airlines returned to strong profitability post-pandemic, and 2024 is projected to see the highest volume of air travel in history. During the pandemic recovery Flight Attendants have dealt with increasing numbers of disruptive and violent passengers, as well as short-staffing and operational issues. The unions say that new contracts are overdue and many FAs haven’t had a raise in years.

“Flight Attendants are speaking with one voice,” said Julie Hedrick, President of APFA representing 27,000 Flight Attendants at American. “We’re telling management to stop playing games and negotiate the contracts that we’ve earned. Wall Street is doing well. Management is doing well. It’s time for Flight Attendants to get a fair share of the value we create, and workplace rules that reflect the realities of today’s industry.”

Flight Attendants are aviation’s first responders who perform critical health and safety duties—from responding to medical emergencies, to de-escalating conflict, or fighting fires.

Recently, cabin crew at American, Air Wisconsin, and Southwest all voted overwhelmingly for strike authorisations. More strike votes at other airlines and efforts to secure strike deadlines are expected if contract demands are not reached in the near term.

“This industry doesn’t fly without us,” said the three union presidents in a statement. “And if management wants to continue to play games, they’ll learn just how true that is.”