AUDIO: Why airline workers across the U.S. are pushing for new contracts

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Han and Hassett / Airport Protest.
  • Runtime: 1:32.
  • By Yoori Han and Caroleina Hassett.
  • Downloadable audio here. (Note: Some web browsers may not support media download)

HOST INTRO:
THOUSANDS OF AIRLINE WORKERS AND FLIGHT ATTENDANTS PICKETED YESTERDAY ACROSS THE NATION OVER WORKING CONDITIONS. CRONKITE NEWS’ YOORI HAN REPORTS ON WHAT WORKERS AT PHOENIX SKY HARBOR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ARE DEMANDING.

(***PKG***)

—- start: DOZENS OF AIRLINE WORKERS TOOK TO THE PICKET LINES FOR CHANGE OUTSIDE THE AIRPORT.
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**nat sound**
“Make it right! Make it right! Make it right!”

(**nat sound**)
*cheers*

MICHAEL MASSONI IS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNION THAT REPRESENTS FLIGHT ATTENDANTS.

“It’s been wrong for way too long – it’s time for Southwest Airlines to make it right.”

FLIGHT ATTENDANTS ARE DEMANDING NEW CONTRACTS AFTER EXPERIENCING MANY COMPLICATIONS DUE TO THE PANDEMIC INCLUDING, MASSONI SAYS, RUDE PASSENGERS…

“This unruliness is directed at flight attendants because we are the face of the airline.”

THIS IS JUST ONE OF THE MANY ISSUES AIRLINE WORKERS SAY THEY’VE FACED SINCE THE PANDEMIC INCLUDING DELAYS… RE-ROUTES… AIRLINE TECHNOLOGY FAILURES… AND EVEN THREATS OF PAY CUTS.

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES SAID IN A STATEMENT IT LOOKS FORWARD TO CONTINUING NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE UNION. THEY ALSO SAID THE CULTURE OF THE AIRLINE RESPECTS THEIR EMPLOYEES AND ENCOURAGES THEM TO EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS.

(**nat sound**)
“What do we want? Contracts! When do we want it? Now!”

UNION VICE PRESIDENT MASSONI SAYS THEY ARE NOT ONLY DOING THIS FOR THEMSELVES BUT FOR THEIR PASSENGERS AS WELL.

“We’re advocating for our customers too. Because if we fix the operational problems that also fixes it for the customer.”

OFF DUTY FLIGHT ATTENDANTS FROM SOUTHWEST TOOK PART IN THE DEMONSTRATION TUESDAY. THIS WAS ONE OF 11 ACTIONS AT AIRPORTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN FIVE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS FROM THE UNION AND THE AIRLINES ARE SET TO RESUME DURING THE FIRST AND LAST WEEK OF NOVEMBER.

YOORI HAN, CRONKITE NEWS