United Airlines Flight Attendants Picket at Newark Airport After Voting to Authorize Strike.

 Union members demand better working conditions and fair contracts as they edge closer to potential strike action.

United Airlines flight attendants announced the results of a strike vote at Denver International Airport on Wednesday morning. The workers cited unmet needs—such as job security, pay, and retirement—as reasons for a potential strike.

"This is the first strike vote in 40 years," said Chris Burton, president of the local council union for the flight attendants.

Represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, 99.99% of the voting flight attendants approved the strike, with over 90% of eligible members participating. The union represents 28,000 United Airlines flight attendants.

Scenes from Denver International Airport in Denver, Colorado, USA  

Robert Alexander / Getty Images  

The strike now awaits approval from the National Mediation Board.

"We now have almost 100% authorization from our flight attendants to proceed with a strike," Burton added.

Voting opened on August 1, and the results were released ahead of the busy Labor Day travel weekend, during which hundreds of thousands of passengers are expected to pass through Denver International Airport.

This is the first time since the 2005 bankruptcy negotiations that United flight attendants have voted on strike authorization. Denver's airport was among nearly 20 locations nationwide where workers participated in picket lines at that time.

Flight attendants claim that management has continually delayed a fair contract, despite the company experiencing significant profits.

United Airlines Corporate Communication Manager Russell Carlton issued a statement:

"We continue to work toward an industry-leading agreement for our flight attendants, with negotiations ongoing this week and every month through November. Both sides have actively engaged in these negotiations, facilitated by a federal mediator at the union's request. We remain eager to reach an agreement."

It's important to note that there is no current work stoppage or labor disruption. Off-duty flight attendants are exercising their right to conduct an informational picket. Federal law prohibits a strike until a lengthy process—including a release from mediation by the National Mediation Board—has been completed.

The union could request a release from the National Mediation Board, which would lead to a 30-day cooling-off period and a potential strike deadline.