The US Department of Labor says it is investigating United Airlines over a new sickness policy that could see flight attendants terminated if they go sick at weekends after the department was flooded with calls from disgruntled crew members.
Last week, United Airlines told flight attendants that should they go sick for a trip or reserve duty that falls on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, they are required to obtain an absence certificate at their own expense from a physician.
The new policy was introduced with less than 24 hours’ notice in a so-called ‘scheduling alert’ sent on the same day that United was in crisis following the CrowdStrike update bug outage.
Described as ‘reprehensible’ by the flight attendant union, crew members face disciplinary action, including the possibility of termination if they fail to provide an absence certificate to managers within 72 hours of calling in sick.
The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA) says the new rules violate the flight attendant contract and that it is seeking legal advice over the policy change, although it could take some time to challenge United over the new rules.
In the meantime, however, furious flight attendants bombarded the Department of Labor to complain about the sickness policy and accuse United Airlines of breaking the law.
In fact, the DOL received so many inquiries from frustrated crew members that on Thursday the department felt compelled to publicly acknowledge the situation.
“Through numerous recent inquiries from workers, the Wage and Hour Division has become aware of a possible change in United Airlines’ leave policies,” confirmed Wage and Hour Administrator Jessica Looman.
Looman added: “We will be working with the airline and workers to ensure that the company’s leave policies are in compliance with the Family and Medical Leave Act.”
United Airlines did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Under the flight attendant contract, the Chicago-based airline has previously only been allowed to require absence certificates if flight attendants go sick on key specific dates which cover the Fourth of July and Christmas holiday periods.
Labor relations between United and its flight attendants have dipped markedly in recent months as the two sides try to negotiate an updated contract.
The union has accused United of deliberately stalling in bargaining sessions and has become so frustrated with the slow progress that it approved a strike authorization vote last week – the first such vote at United in more than 19 years. The ballot is set to open on August 1 and close on August 28.
United’s management team is the most toxic and back stabbing work environment I have ever worked under. They don’t value their front line employees.