They want the protection of a union for job security, working conditions and other reasons." So now Teamsters are gathering signatures of at least 35 per cent of the nearly 1000 flight attendants at Frontier in order to hold a vote. And if that is accomplished over 50 per cent would have to approve the vote for the process to move forward. Last time the vote came 45 votes short of the 50 per cent needed. Frontier has been one of the few airlines that has NOT slashed employee salaries and benefits. Should the flight attendants join the Teamster's Union? Should they even unionize at all?
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Aside from the Teamsters, another group of Frontier flight attendants is looking to start its own, independent union.
The group says attendants need to lock in wages, job security and benefits.
But it doesn't want representation from an outside union such as the Teamsters, fearing attendants won't get much attention from such a large organization.
"We don't want to have to send all of our money to someone that we know we won't get full support from," said Justie Ellis, president of the group.
Ellis said they already have enough signatures and in August plan to ask a federal organization that oversees such matters for an election. The Teamsters wouldn't disclose when it plans to do the same.
Frontier is against any effort to unionize its workers and says it already has a strong relationship with attendants.
Pilots, mechanics and several other groups at Frontier are unionized, but they represent less than 25 percent of the company's total work force.
"We don't believe a union is necessary," said Ann Block, Frontier's senior vice president of in-flight and administrative services. "We've worked really well with them in the past."
Frontier Airlines (FRNT) was down on Friday trading with most of the airline sector as fuel prices continue to weigh on the airlines.
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