I have four years’ experience as a flight attendant for two different airlines, one called Air Nostrum (regional Iberia) and the other Easyjet. I love traveling and meeting new people, and I was excited to contribute in the best possible way to make their experience safe and enjoyable. But soon after I started working, I faced many challenges often unseen by the public. Training was rigorous, and pay was per flight, not hourly, meaning unpaid long layovers and delays, sometimes requiring overnight stays with only food allowances.
On top of this, we had a lot of standby days on our schedule. On my first job, standby days meant no pay if I wasn’t called to work, but I still had to be available during a period of 24 hours, ready to be at the airport within 45 minutes of their phone call! We were not guaranteed stable hours, meaning that our pay and time off was dependent on the needs of the airline, working long hours some months and others struggling to make ends meet.
Both of my jobs were unionized, and workers struggled against many of these issues, but unfortunately, the union leadership didn’t take the fight further and us workers left with small compromises. I faced an illegal dismissal along with other colleagues after two years of employment. This company, Air Nostrum, offered us a small compensation, but discouraged us from pursuing legal action, creating an environment of intimidation and uncertainty.
I feel that it’s important to share these experiences to highlight the often-overlooked struggles faced by flight attendants all around the world. We dedicate ourselves to ensuring passenger safety and comfort, often at personal expense and risk, and while the bosses fill their pockets and offer an increasingly worse service to everyone, we are left with ridiculous conditions and wages.
We need to continue fighting against bosses who profit from our misery and put profits before people. The Air Canada wildcat strike showed the way forward for workers at other airlines facing similar conditions. This is not an isolated issue. Workers in most industries are facing increasing attacks, and we need to struggle united against them. A victory for the flight attendants is a victory for all!
Lili M., Vancouver
