Abstract

The work of airline pilots and cabin crew has long been recognised as stressful, and pressures in the aviation industry have only grown over time. There is a high level of union density within the sector in many countries, making unions an important source of insights for researchers seeking to understand the experience of workers. The present study gathered data from union representatives who worked as cabin crew at various UK airlines. We explored their own experiences of stressful working conditions, the kind of issues raised with them by their colleagues, and the role of management. They identified six themes – not feeling valued, work-life balance, job insecurity, health and safety, bullying and harassment, and management support.