AFA Warns of CHAOS™ if Contracts are Rejected

WASHINGTON - Strike authorization ballots were mailed today to 21,000 flight attendants at United Airlines, setting the stage for a potential nationwide CHAOS™ strike should United or any other contracted carrier abrogate its collective bargaining agreement with the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.

"From the start, United flight attendants have been fully engaged in helping their employer achieve a successful reorganization," said Greg Davidowich, president of the AFA Master Executive Council at United. "With this vote, they are declaring under what terms and conditions they are willing, or unwilling, to work."

Both United and US Airways have asked federal bankruptcy courts for permission to walk away from their legally binding contracts with their employees, end their retirement plans and slash medical benefits for retirees. Should they do so, AFA intends to engage in CHAOS (Create Havoc Around Our System), the union's trademarked program of intermittent work stoppages on flights, dates and locations of its choice, with no advance notice.

Talks between AFA and the two major carriers to reach a consensual agreement have been ongoing.

Ballots are being prepared for AFA members at ATA and Hawaiian as well. In the event of a strike, secondary activity may take place at other carriers.

More than 46,000 flight attendants join together to form AFA, the world's largest flight attendant union. AFA is part of the 700,000 member strong Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afanet.org.