Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Rachele Smith

For Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Rachele Smith of UNITE HERE.

Rachele Smith began as a front desk agent organizing the union at her hotel with her co-workers. She has been bringing the message of working people to the public and building power in Arizona through her work in communications over the last eight years. Her profound dedication and leadership to Worker Power continues to inspire new leaders and helps build the movement.

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 05/14/2026 - 10:32

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: United Flight Attendants Ratify New Contract with 31% Average Wage Increase

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

United Flight Attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), voted to ratify a new contract. The contract was ratified, with 82% voting for the agreement and 88.85% votes cast of all eligible.

“The contract will immediately change the lives of United Flight Attendants, especially our thousands of new hires who have been hired since the pandemic,” said Ken Diaz, United Master Executive Council president. “Our solidarity delivered the goods.”

The five-year contract includes a 31% base pay rate increase this summer; boarding pay (which averages an 7% to 8% increase to compensation); $741 million in retroactive pay; expanded job security; restrictions on red-eye flying; sit pay for scheduled and rescheduled sits over 2.5 hours; per diem and 401(k) contribution increases; 10 weeks’ paid maternity and two weeks’ paid parental and adoption leaves; elimination of 24 hour on-call reserve and more.

“The United…Flight Attendants’ contract now leads the industry in total value for flight attendants, and it should,” said Sara Nelson, international president of AFA-CWA. “We will continue to press forward with all of our contracts and build power with our organizing to ensure flight attendants are respected with meaningful return for our work as aviation’s first responders.”

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 05/14/2026 - 10:25