July 18, 2025

Shift Change PT 3 - Why Say Yes?

Show Notes

Flight attendants are asking for more than better pay. They’re asking to be seen for the long hours, the missed time with family, and the toll that decades of demanding schedules have taken on their lives.

Michael Desrosiers reconnects with Ken Diaz, a longtime flight attendant and the lead negotiator for United’s union, to talk through the tentative agreement now in the hands of the members. Ken speaks openly about what the union won, what it couldn’t, and why he’s choosing to vote yes. But this isn’t just a breakdown of numbers. It’s a conversation about trust, exhaustion, and the weight of past sacrifices. What does progress look like when you’re still recovering from losses you were never compensated for? How do you measure fairness in an industry that’s built on constant motion and limited rest?

Through personal stories and straight talk, Ken and Michael dig into the real meaning of value at work - what it costs, who decides, and why the stakes feel higher than ever.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Inside the Tentative Agreement

04:06 Ken Diaz on Voting as a Working Flight Attendant

09:09 Breaking Down Retirement Contributions

13:02 Healthcare Wins and Work Rule Protections

20:00 The Push for Boarding Pay and Fair Scheduling

24:55 Why Ground Pay Remains Out of Reach

34:34 Fatigue, Safety, and the Human Cost of Airline Work

42:35 Final Thoughts and What’s Next in the Series

Links

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