United Airlines announced it would cut its flight attendant staff by 600 due to poor performance as the recession continues to bite into the pockets of consumers.

The new cuts come in addition to last year’s 1,550 jobs reduced which were achieved through voluntary furloughs, and the company said it would again offer workers voluntary exit packages.

UAL currently has 13,500 flight attendants. The workers are represented by the Association of Flight Attendants union.