TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tens of thousands of flight attendants picketed around the world Tuesday at major airports, including Tampa.

Workers picketed outside 30 airports throughout the United States, United Kingdom, and Guam to demand better pay and better working conditions.

Dozens of flight attendants took part outside Tampa International Airport, as well as a second location nearby.

Tuesday’s protest marked the first time flight attendants in contract negotiations at 24 airlines protested in unison.

“It is historic, this is the first time, I’ve been here for 26 years, I’ve never seen all the airlines work together, and all the unions work together,” said Erin Doughtrey, a United Airlines flight attendant and secretary of the Association of Flight Attendants.

United, Southwest, and American Airlines employees are all fighting for new contracts and better wages.

They said they are working harder than ever with short breaks and are only recognized when they have to respond to crises.

“The company has industry-leading flight attendants that are doing industry-leading work,” Doughtrey said. “They have industry profits that they’ve never had before.”

“The amount of hours were putting in versus sleep is insane. You’re running us to the ground, through the mud,” said Anthony Workman, a flight attendant with Frontier.

Some Flight Attendants said they haven’t had a raise in five years. Working conditions and pay have been eroded by consistent operational issues and cost of living significantly higher following the pandemic. 

Flight attendants said they are hoping the worldwide day of action helps make the desired changes.