July 14, 2025

Shift Change PT 2 - At the Negotiation Table

Show Notes

What happens when a 100-year-old labor law meets a modern airline CEO determined to draw the line on healthcare?

In Part 2 of the Shift Change series, Michael welcomes back Ken Diaz, President of the United Airlines Master Executive Council, for a frank and detailed look at what really happens at the bargaining table. What’s behind the years-long delays in reaching a contract? And why is healthcare, something most people take for granted, suddenly a flashpoint for flight attendants?

Ken doesn’t hold back. He breaks down the impact of the nearly century-old Railway Labor Act, the corporate strategy of dragging out negotiations, and why change may have to come from within the union rather than through new legislation. He also explains what’s at stake in the proposed contract, including the controversial 480-hour healthcare requirement, and why this moment feels different.

Michael and Ken talk about the tension, the strategy, and the reality of dealing with a CEO who, in Ken’s words, “is not a people person.” They also push back against assumptions about so-called concessions, clarify the role of financial analysts and legal teams during talks, and reflect on the human cost of delayed agreements.

If you’ve ever wondered why it takes so long for workers to get what they’re owed, or what really happens behind closed doors, this conversation pulls back the curtain. Stay tuned for Shift Change Part 3: Why Say Yes and a follow-up commentary with Ken Diaz in The Debrief.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

01:04 Recap of Union Power and Strike Limitations

03:27 Guest Introduction: Ken Diaz on 40 Years of Union Leadership

07:56 Why Airline Labor Laws Put Workers at a Disadvantage

12:06 A New Strategy to Cut Down Years-Long Contract Negotiations

18:02 How CEO Leadership Styles Influence Labor Outcomes

27:06 Why Ken Diaz Is Voting Yes on the Tentative Agreement

32:08 Breaking Down the 480 Credited Hours Healthcare Requirement

38:18 Inside the Final Weeks of Negotiations: What Really Happened

49:00 Who Was at the Table and How Decisions Were Made

52:02 How the Union Makes Final Decisions at the Bargaining Table