United Airlines Bargaining Update 4.16.25

Teamsters Blast United for Breaking Promise to Deliver Updated Scope Proposal

United Airlines is once again dragging its feet at the bargaining table. Yesterday, the committee demanded that the company follow through on its commitment to deliver a new scope proposal this week — a promise management made weeks ago. But for the third consecutive day of bargaining, United showed up empty-handed.

Worse yet, United told the committee it was not prepared to offer any job protections, even though we rejected the company’s previous anti-worker scope proposal by an overwhelming 99.5 percent. Instead, United floated a vague proposal of wage increases as a substitute for meaningful scope protections.

“United broke its promise to deliver a new proposal, and our members will not tolerate this disrespect,” said Clacy Griswold, Chairman of the United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee. “The company is trying to buy off our job security with wage talk — but that’s never going to happen. If United wants to keep wasting our time, they’ll be met with the full force of the Teamsters Union.”

With no new scope proposal to review, the committee used the day to prepare proposals for remaining sections of the contract, including Article 5: Filling of Vacancies, Article 12: Field Trips, Article 14: Safety and Health, and Article 17: Overtime. These will continue to be worked on internally until United brings a serious scope proposal to the table.

“This is the second straight session the company has come to the table with nothing. Either United has no idea what it’s doing, or it’s deliberately lying to us to stall negotiations,” said John Laurin, lead technician from Local 856 and a member of the negotiating committee. “Ever since we overwhelmingly rejected United’s last scope proposal, the company has been hellbent on dragging its feet. It’s unacceptable, and United Airlines Teamsters aren’t putting up with it.”

The next bargaining session is scheduled for April 29 to May 1 in Los Angeles.

United Airlines Bargaining Update 4.15.25

Teamsters Present Ultimatum to United on Scope Proposal

During Tuesday’s session, the committee presented United with an ultimatum: give us a new scope proposal or risk negotiations reaching a standstill.

United’s claim that it is waiting on a counter economic proposal from the committee is misleading. Following the rejection of the last proposal, the committee agreed that we would not counter economics until a new scope proposal was provided by the company. Despite commitments from the company to have such a proposal ready this week, United came to bargaining empty handed for the second straight day.

“The company made a promise two weeks ago in Orlando that a scope proposal would be ready for discussion this week. So far, United has gone back on its word for reasons they are not telling the committee,” said Clacy Griswold, Chairman of the United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee. “The company’s delays won’t stop the Teamsters. If we don’t get a scope proposal by tomorrow, United will see the full power of the Teamsters Union at the next session in Los Angeles.”

In addition to holding United’s feet to the fire at the bargaining table, the committee also joined members from Local 455 who picketed the Flight Training Center during today’s bargaining session.

“The company thinks we don’t see the games it is playing. United thinks it can placate us on scope by going into subcommittee meetings on other items — but they are wrong,” said Mitch Hunt, a technician from Local 455 and member of the negotiating committee. “United needs to stop wasting our time and give us the scope proposal promised to us weeks ago.”

 Bargaining in Denver will continue through Wednesday, April 16.

United Airlines Bargaining Update 4.3.25

Teamsters Conclude Bargaining in Orlando, Tee Up Items for Next Round in Denver

While United Airlines came to negotiations unprepared to bargain on key Teamsters issues, the national negotiating committee took matters into its own hands and worked tirelessly to close out the remaining non-economic items of the collective bargaining agreement. 

During Thursday’s session, United Airlines Teamsters continued subcommittee meetings on Article 12: Field Trips and Article 17: Overtime. While the committee is demanding commonsense proposals that protect Teamsters’ rights in the Field Trips and Overtime articles, United is prolonging bargaining on these items by adding open-ended issues with the intent to delay bargaining. 

“Despite United’s inability to bargain seriously this week, the committee did a fantastic job of holding the company accountable and not allowing the company to set the tone for negotiations moving forward,” said Clacy Griswold, Chairman of the United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee. “United thought it could come to Orlando and tell us to wait until Denver. That would not fly with the committee, and I’m proud of them for putting their heads down and focusing on reaching a strong new agreement as quickly as possible.” 

In addition to subcommittee meetings, the committee worked to turn the Agreement in Principle reached in November on Article 6: RIF and Recall into a tentative agreement for the company to consider. The committee is working to solidify language in the article that protects Teamsters’ recall rights at their home stations in the event of a Reduction in Force and allow Teamsters to use Craft Seniority if the company transfers work between stations. 

“United didn’t come to negotiate — they came to stall. They thought we’d sit back and accept their games without a fight, but they were dead wrong,” said Dave Mahood, a technician from Teamsters Local 210 serving on the national negotiating committee. “We will not tolerate any more delays. If United comes to the next session with the same attitude, they’re going to see just how angry 10,000 Teamsters can get.” 

The next round of negotiations will take place April 14-16 in Denver.

Teamsters Work to Close Remaining Items as United Stalls on Scope and Economics

United Airlines continues to stall negotiations, refusing to present an updated proposal on scope and economics. Despite having weeks to prepare for bargaining, United is now claiming it is unprepared to discuss critical issues until the next bargaining session in Denver later this month. 

While United refuses to meaningfully engage, the Teamsters are applying maximum pressure on important items. During Wednesday’s session, the committee pushed forward on remaining non-economic items that have yet to be tentatively agreed upon, including Article 12: Field Trips and Article 17: Overtime. The committee is demanding that the company honor Teamsters’ ability to trade/apply for field trips and protect bids for overtime. 

“We came to Orlando prepared to work with the company on improving their disrespectful scope and economic proposals, but instead, they’ve chosen to waste more time,” said Clacy Griswold, Chairman of the United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee. “The company had over a month to fix these insulting proposals. United Airlines Teamsters are fed up and fired up, and they will never back down.” 

In addition to subcommittee meetings, the committee received a presentation from the Teamsters Airline Division regarding the status of United’s 2025 Apprenticeship Program. The committee is fighting for a more robust training process for those in the program so they can get ahead of the upcoming retirements of senior United Airlines Teamsters. 

“United is about to lose hundreds of experienced technicians to retirement. It’s a priority for this committee to ensure that the next generation of Teamsters have the tools they need to be successful, and it should be a priority for United, too,” said Ryan Pachasa, a lead technician from Local 986 at Portland International Airport serving on the national negotiating committee. “United needs to stop stalling, take our concerns seriously, and come to the table with common-sense proposals that respect our hard work, skills, and dedication.” 

Negotiations in Orlando will continue through Thursday, April 3.

United Airlines Bargaining Update 4.1.25

Teamsters Demand the Return of Maintenance Work During First Session in Orlando

After United Airlines technicians rejected the company’s most recent proposal by 99.5 percent, the United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee resumed bargaining Tuesday with a clear demand: stop outsourcing critical maintenance work overseas. 

During the session, the national negotiating committee presented evidence of the airline’s outsourcing practices and demanded the return of both light and heavy maintenance checks to domestic stations. The committee also stressed that work taken away during the pandemic must return and that current work must be protected from outsourcing and line shifts from the company. 

“United Airlines Teamsters sent a crystal-clear message to the company: we need work to come back and stay in the United States,” said Clacy Griswold, Chairman of the United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee. “We will stop at nothing to protect our members from corporate greed and ensuring the safety of the flying public. United doesn’t get to arbitrarily decide when to add or take away work from our members.” 

“United’s last proposal was a slap in the face. We have never been more insulted,” said Gus Pappas, an inspector from Local 769 serving on the negotiating committee. “If this company thinks they can keep squeezing more profits out of us by cutting jobs and sending work overseas, they’ve got another thing coming. We are fired up. United better come back with a serious offer.” 

Negotiations in Orlando will continue through Thursday, April 3.

TEAMSTERS REJECT UNITED AIRLINES’ INSULTING CONTRACT PROPOSAL

TEAMSTERS REJECT UNITED AIRLINES’ INSULTING CONTRACT PROPOSAL

Technicians Vote Down Carrier’s Proposal to Cut Wages, Outsource Work to China

 The following is a statement from Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien and Teamsters Airline Division Director Chris Griswold on United Airlines Teamsters’ overwhelming rejection of the carrier’s latest disgraceful economic proposal. 99.5 percent of Teamsters voted to reject this greedy carrier’s attempts to cut their wages and send their work to communist China.

 “United Airlines’ executives think they can strong-arm 10,000 Teamsters technicians into accepting a terrible deal. Instead, our members just sent a clear message that this company can’t ignore. United’s radical, un-American contract proposal is dead on arrival.

 “United raked in $4 billion in profits last year off the backs of highly skilled, hardworking Teamsters who keep planes flying safely. Rather than reward them, United wants to gut good American jobs and gamble with safety.

 “United’s short-sighted cash grab reflects everything that’s wrong with Big Business at a time when we should be bringing back jobs to America.

 “The Teamsters Union isn’t just fighting for a fair contract — we’re fighting for the future of the American aviation industry. We won’t back down. United must return to the table and put American workers first.” 

Don't forget to vote!

If you have already cast your ballot, thank you for your participation. If you need a new ballot, please follow the below procedures:

Duplicate Ballot Request Procedures for Teamsters Local 856 & Local 986 Members working at SFO:

If you haven't received your ballot to vote on the Company's proposal by 9 a.m., Wednesday, March 12, please contact the following:

Local 856 Members (Last Name A-Led):

Lauren Hasan, (510) 220-3252 or LHasan@ibt856.org

Local 986 Members (Last Name Lee-Z):

Carolina Perez, (626) 350-9860 ext. 108 or caro@teamsters986.org

The duplicate ballot request window will be open from 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 12 until Monday, March 24 at 2 p.m. (Pacific Daylight Time)

If you do not reach Lauren or Carolina, please leave a voicemail with your full name, file number, and cell phone number.

Aviation Technicians Demand Fair Contract and Timely Negotiations

(SAN FRANCISCO) – Hundreds of United Airlines aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs) represented by the Teamsters Union rallied outside San Francisco International Airport (SFO) today as part of their fight for a contract that reflects their contributions to the company’s record-breaking profits.

“United Airlines raked in over $4 billion in profits last year, but instead of investing that money in the Teamsters who do the work, they want to send our members’ jobs to communist China,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “This is a reckless race to the bottom and Teamsters will not stand for it.”

The Teamsters Union represents over 10,000 United Airlines AMTs across the country. They are demanding a contract with top-tier pay, a faster wage progression, and job security.

“United claims safety is its number one priority, but their actions in negotiations suggest otherwise,” said Chris Griswold, Director of the Teamsters Airline Division. “United Teamsters are fighting not just for their livelihoods but also to protect the millions of passengers who rely on this airline.”

In response to workers’ demands for a strong contract, United recently offered an outrageous proposal that would put passengers in harm’s way by outsourcing critical maintenance work.

“Every day, we take on the huge responsibility of ensuring the safety of United’s customers and keeping planes in the air,” said Fred Wood, a United technician at SFO and member of the United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee. “United would not be the airline it is today without our highly skilled labor. Industry-leading profits demand industry-leading contracts, and we won’t rest until we win the agreement we have earned.”

United Airlines Teamsters Response to Company Lies

On February 26, United Airlines sent a communication to Teamsters technicians full of false claims. This communication is misleading and a desperate attempt to shift blame for the carrier’s inaction in negotiations and insulting contract proposal.

The proposal that United presented in Minneapolis is unacceptable. It is nowhere near what the union is demanding. United’s offer would leave Teamsters making on average 8-10 percent below American and Southwest technicians during the first 8 years of service, and up to 15-20 percent less than both carriers on several steps.

The bottom line: United’s proposed pay would keep Teamsters technicians near the bottom of the pay scale compared to Delta, American, Southwest, and Alaska.

United doesn’t want your input in this contract. The carrier is falsely accusing the national negotiating committee of delaying negotiations by taking their offensive proposal to a vote by the membership. The truth is, we wouldn’t be asking for a membership vote if the company had presented a serious proposal on February 10. We made it clear that we would not bargain until the membership’s voice was heard. As such, we will not attend the scheduled March 11-13 bargaining session in Denver while the vote is being held.

Your national negotiating committee won’t bargain against itself for the sake of rushing to reach a deal United wants to force down our throats. Teamsters won’t tolerate the lies and disrespect. If United wanted progress, they shouldn’t have insulted us with this horrific proposal.

Letter Regarding United's Counter Proposal

Dear United Airlines Teamsters,

United Airlines came to the table last week and showed nothing but contempt for our union. The company apparently has no intention of reaching a fair deal that reflects the value of our hard work. United management is embarrassed and frustrated because we refuse to back down from our position for a strong contract.

Last week, United presented an insulting proposal to gut wages and outsource critical maintenance to China and South America.

United’s proposal is so offensive that you, the members, need to see it for yourself.

We are asking one question — would you work under the terms and conditions proposed by United last week?

This is not a ratification vote because this proposal is not a last, best, and final contract offer from United. There is no tentative agreement. But this is a wake-up call to United, its shareholders, and the flying public.

United’s profits are soaring, and executives are predicting continued financial success. United has the money to agree to an industry-leading contract. Instead, management pursues endless delays, low offers, and scare tactics about economic uncertainty.

United wants the Teamsters to accept wage cuts and to watch our work get shipped overseas. It’s time to fight back. Participate in this poll and VOTE NO on United’s latest proposal. Help make sure United cannot ignore our loud, collective voice.

The Teamsters Union needs all members at United to reject this horrific proposal.

With this vote, let’s show United how fed up we are. We know our worth. And we won’t settle for less when United executives and shareholders are cashing in off our hard labor.

Your Teamsters negotiating committee urges you to VOTE NO on United’s latest insulting proposal.

In Solidarity,

United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee

United Airlines Teamsters Letter 2/13/25

BARGAINING COMMITTEE UPDATE AND NOTICE OF VOTE ON UNITED’S CONCESSIONARY CONTRACT PROPOSAL

Dear United Airlines Teamsters,

United needs a reality check. On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, United Airlines presented the Committee with its economic proposal and a term sheet proposal regarding other open items. United’s proposal was intended to be the equivalent of a hot poker in the eyes of the membership.

United believes the membership would treat its packaged proposals as one that the members would work under for the next six years. It appears that the overwhelming rejection of the April 17, 2024, Extension Agreement was not enough to convince United that the membership will not accept substandard contractual terms. We therefore are submitting United’s February 12, 2025, proposals, along with already tentatively agreed to provisions, to the membership for a vote. In this vote, which will be conducted in the very near future, we are asking the membership to vote whether they would work under United’s proposed concessionary six-year contract or whether they would reject it.

As the attached slide prepared by our economists shows, United’s economic proposal contains technician rates that are well below market rates for technicians, which have increased dramatically since the rejected April 17, 2024, Extension Agreement. United’s February 12, 2025, Date-of Signing rates are identical to rates contained in the rejected Extension Agreement. It repackaged the rates by rolling the VEBA payments directly into the technician rates, thereby effectively eliminating the VEBA itself. At the end of United’s proposed six-year contract, the technician rates would be approximately ten (10) cents greater than the rates that would have been in effect at the end of the 4-year term of the rejected Extension Agreement. United stated that its economic proposal was reasonable and competitive. The Committee strongly disagreed and informed United that their economic proposal was so far out of sync with market rates that it is an insult to the membership. United’s negotiators stuck to their position that its economic proposal is reasonable and competitive.

United’s proposal contains other provisions that are equally unacceptable and equally insulting to the membership. For example, United proposes eliminating the CARP Plan and replacing it with a cash balance plan, putting our members at a great disadvantage. It also eliminates retiree Bridge Medical, eliminates the medical plan’s default PPO plan, and places a 70/30 cost-sharing burden on the technicians, which is currently 80/20. United also intends to encourage non-A&P-licensed technicians to work on the floor, eliminate PCL across all stations, and extend the time it takes to reach top-of-scale pay.

With respect to Scope, United refuses to restore any heavy maintenance lines anywhere across the system. United emphasized this point by proposing to eliminate the Base Protections contained in the current collective bargaining agreement. United currently outsources approximately 85 percent of its heavy maintenance to foreign repair stations in China and South America. The Union made a good faith proposal to bring more heavy maintenance checks back to the United States. However, United outright rejected the Union’s proposal and responded by threatening to take away certain job protections that already exist, effectively forcing us to bargain against ourselves if negotiations continued based off United’s response.

While United’s proposals include a few modest improvements over the current contract, such as increasing the moving allowance to $14,000, the proposals in total are concessionary and unacceptable. As noted above, United insists that its proposals are reasonable and competitive. We told United that we would let the members decide whether the proposals are reasonable and competitive, and we are confident the membership will agree with us that the proposals are not only unacceptable, but also completely out of touch with reality. United seeks to impose punishing concessions on this membership while the company is making historic profits and stock has more than doubled in the last six months.

The Committee urges each and every member of this bargaining unit to VOTE NO on the company’s proposals. While this vote is not a contract ratification vote, it is nevertheless crucial that all the membership participate in this vote so that United will finally understand that the membership has had enough of their nonsense. A NO VOTE will represent a loud and clear message that United must get serious – and realistic - with these contract negotiations and bargain in good faith.

In Solidarity,

Your United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee

United Airlines Bargaining Update 2/12/25

United Airlines Teamsters Strongly Reject Company’s Insulting Counterproposal

After weeks of delays by United Airlines in responding to Teamsters’ contract proposals, the company presented an outrageous counterproposal to the committee on Wednesday. 

United’s scope of work proposal urges a dangerous policy of outsourcing heavy maintenance work to China and South America. United is now offering lower wage rates than in its last tentative agreement, which was overwhelmingly rejected by members. United’s latest proposal includes absurd provisions like demanding workers waive their sick leave rights protected by state law. 

At the table, the Teamsters told United that its current counterproposal is a joke. 

The union committee is discussing the next steps to address United’s blatant disrespect of its workforce. More details to come.

United Airlines Bargaining Update 2/11/25

United Airlines Teamsters Await Company Response on Economic Proposal

On Tuesday, the United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee began the twelfth round of bargaining with the company in Minneapolis. During the session, the committee held initial discussions about potentially rejoining the Federal Aviation Administration’s Tech Ops Safety Action Program (TSAP) and Line Operation Safety Assessment (LOSA) program. The committee will not agree to participation in these programs until they are guaranteed to be non-punitive for all United Airlines Teamsters. 

After submitting the union’s initial economic proposal in January, the committee was informed during Tuesday’s session that a response to the proposal will be delivered by United on Wednesday. 

“The committee is eager to hear United’s response to our economic proposal and advance negotiations for our members,” said Clacy Griswold, Chairman of the United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee. “Wednesday will be our first opportunity to see where the company wants to take this process. Regardless of what is presented, the committee will not rest until we win the contract United Airlines Teamsters have earned.” 

“We have been more than patient with the company as they consider our initial economic proposal submitted last month,” said Jimmy Sligar, a technician from Local 19 and member of the negotiating committee. “We came to Minneapolis prepared to fight tooth and nail for our members. The committee will be ready for whatever United wants to throw at us when we get our response.”

United Airlines Bargaining Update 1/24/25

United Airlines Teamsters Conclude Eleventh Round of Bargaining in San Francisco

The United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee concluded the eleventh round of bargaining in San Francisco on Thursday. After submitting the initial economic and scope of work proposals to the company on Wednesday, the committee used Thursday’s bargaining session to strategize for the next round of negotiations in February.

Following a presentation from Teamsters Industrial Hygienist Frances Mensah regarding language in the current contract, the committee began formulating the union’s upcoming safety proposal to United. The committee also received word from the company that it would not have a response to the union’s economic and scope of work proposals during this round of bargaining, but we are expecting a counter from United during the next bargaining session.

“The committee did a fantastic job this week of staying unified and advocating for our proposals,” said Clacy Griswold, Chairman of the United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee. “Now that our initial scope and economic proposals are submitted, the ball is in United’s court. The committee hopes to build on this week’s progress when we meet again with the company next month.”

“We had a very productive week of bargaining in San Francisco,” said Ron Forziati, a technician from Local 25 and a member of the negotiating committee. “The committee is ready to move the process forward and win the contract we deserve as soon as possible. The company has a lot to answer for when we meet for negotiations next month.”

The next round of bargaining will begin February 11 in Minneapolis.

United Airlines Bargaining Update 1/23/25

United Airlines Teamsters Submit Initial Proposal to Company on Scope of Work

The United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee resumed bargaining in San Francisco on Wednesday, where the committee is focused on fighting outsourcing and reaching tentative agreements on the contract’s economic articles. 

During Wednesday’s session, the committee finalized and submitted the union’s initial scope of work proposal to the company. United will now calculate the costs of the scope and economic proposals to establish a counteroffer; The committee is not expecting a full counteroffer from the company until after this round of bargaining. 

“It is common for an employer to slow down the pace of bargaining during economic negotiations, but the committee has done a great job of moving this process along, fighting for a fair contract, and putting the pressure on United at the table,” said Clacy Griswold, Chairman of the United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee. “No matter what the company counters with, it won’t change the fact that United Airlines Teamsters deserve the best contract in the industry. The committee looks forward to United’s response to our economic and scope of work proposals.” 

Wednesday’s negotiations took place as United Airlines announced its Q4 and end-of-year profits, with the airline reporting $14.7 billion in revenue last quarter and ending 2024 with $57.1 billion in total revenue. United also posted $3.1 billion in total income in 2024, the second highest profit among all US airlines last year. 

“We know that United recently announced industry-leading profits and revenue to close 2024, and that the company expects to do even better this year,” said Jimmy Sligar, a technician from Local 19 and a member of the negotiating committee. “We’re the reason this company made record breaking profits. That’s why we are committed to winning a record breaking contract for our members.” 

The eleventh round of bargaining with United will continue in San Francisco until Thursday, January 23.

United Airlines Bargaining Update 1/22/25

United Airlines Teamsters Begin Eleventh Round of Bargaining, Review Proposal on Scope 

Yesterday, the United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee resumed bargaining with United Airlines this week, kicking off the eleventh round of negotiations in San Francisco following last week’s session in Newark. 

On Tuesday, the committee received an updated presentation on the Railway Labor Act (RLA) bargaining process. The presentation reviewed the overall process and the requirements for contract mediation with the National Mediation Board. Following this, the committee spent the rest of the day finalizing details for the union’s scope of work proposal, which covers all types of work reserved for United Airlines Teamsters. 

“One of the most important aspects of the contract is scope of work, and the committee is working overtime to move this process forward,” said Clacy Griswold, Chairman of the Untied Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee. “The committee is dedicated to returning Aircraft, Facilities, and GSE work back under our scope. We will not let United continue to outsource work at the expense of Teamster pay and passengers’ safety.” 

This week, the committee is also expecting a counter from the company to the union’s initial economic proposal submitted during last week’s session in Newark. However, while United calculates the union’s initial economic proposal, the committee will continue discussions on the remaining articles to prepare for future bargaining sessions. 

“Every day without a contract means potential gains are delayed. Since we’ve passed the amendable date, time is critical,” said Ryan Pachasa, a technician from Local 986 and a member of the negotiating committee. “We are ready to move this process forward. The ball is in United’s court to join us.” 

The eleventh round of bargaining with United will continue in San Francisco until Thursday, January 23.

United Airlines Bargaining Update 1/17/25

United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee Concludes Tenth Round of Bargaining, Tees Up Proposals for Discussion During Next Session

The United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee concluded the tenth round of bargaining with the airline on Thursday. During Thursday’s session, the committee presented its proposals on Letter of Agreement #24 and Article 13. The committee expects a response from United during next week’s bargaining session. United informed the committee that a counteroffer on the initial economic proposals will be offered next week as well.

“The committee did a great job this week of building the foundation for which we will launch the rest of this campaign,” said United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee Chairman Clacy Griswold. “We understand that economic negotiations are a back-and-forth process, but we are set up for success in future bargaining sessions. We can’t wait to get back to bargaining next week, where we will continue the fight for the industry-leading contract United Airlines Teamsters have earned.”

The committee also used Thursday to discuss union proposals on the scope of work for United Airlines Teamsters. The union is demanding that United return Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) back to the United States from unlicensed vendors overseas. In addition to MRO work, the committee is fighting for members in facility maintenance and Ground Service Equipment, who also face increasing attempts by the company to outsource their work.

“Since our last contract in 2016, over 90 percent of heavy maintenance has been outsourced to foreign countries. That means less work for United Airlines Teamsters and a higher safety risk for United’s passengers,” said Fred Wood, a technician from Local 856 and member of the negotiating committee. “United says safety is the number one priority, but the company has no problem risking safety by using cheap, unlicensed labor to do our work. We are ready to win back this work when we go back to the table next week.”

Negotiations will resume on January 21 in San Francisco. The committee’s thoughts continue to remain with United Airlines Teamsters impacted by the wildfires in Los Angeles.

United Airlines Bargaining Update 1/15/25

The United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee has resumed bargaining with the airline this week, kicking off the tenth round of negotiations and first for 2025 in Newark, New Jersey. 

After reaching tentative agreements on an overwhelming majority of noneconomic proposals in previous sessions, the committee is now focused on winning a full tentative agreement from United on the economic articles. During Tuesday’s session, the committee voted to advance the union’s initial economic proposals, including substantial pay increases and lower health care costs, to the company for discussion this week. 

“The committee has displayed great unity in getting the economic proposals ready for bargaining and I am proud of the enthusiasm they have for taking our proposals right to United’s doorstep,” said United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee Chairman Clacy Griswold. “We are ready to fight tooth and nail to reach tentative agreements with the company. One way or another, we will win the contract that United Airlines Teamsters have earned.” 

In addition to fighting for better pay and lower health care costs, the committee is demanding that United return all Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) work back to the United States. 

“United Airlines claims to prioritize safety, but nearly every time we work on a plane that was outsourced to another country, we see major issues that we have to repair,” said Dave Mahood, a technician from Local 210 and member of the negotiating committee. “United needs to stop outsourcing labor for pennies on the dollar and bring that work back here. It is not just disrespectful to United Airlines Teamsters. It’s unsafe for the passengers we serve to keep outsourcing critical MRO work to unlicensed stations overseas.” 

The tenth round of negotiations will continue until January 16.  The eleventh round of negotiations was to be in Los Angeles, but the current situation with the wildfires has moved next week’s negotiations to San Francisco starting January 21. The committee’s thoughts are with all United Airlines Teamsters impacted by wildfires in Los Angeles.

PLEASE READ: Teamsters Airline Division on TSAP/LOSA Participation

To all Teamsters at United Airlines:

The Tech Ops Safety Action Program (TSAP) is a Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Aviation Administration, United Airlines, and the Teamsters. The primary purpose of the program is to identify safety events and to implement corrective measures that reduce circumstances where safety could be compromised. The program is intended to foster a voluntary, cooperative, non-punitive environment for United technicians who want to report safety concerns. Through such open reporting, all parties have access to valuable safety information that may not otherwise be obtainable. 

The soul of the program is built on trust. Unfortunately, because United has been using information from the TSAP program to retaliate against Teamsters members, the erosion of that trust has jeopardized our participation in the program. For this reason, we have withdrawn from TSAP. We have also withdrawn from the Line Operations Safety Assessment Program (LOSA). 

United has responded to our concerns by claiming that at most locations, there are no retaliatory actions taken by management and TSAP works effectively for the members. However, at the small number of stations where this has occurred, retaliation has been defended by a change to the MOU that the company made. This change could easily impact all members at all stations. The Teamsters cannot encourage complete transparency from our members at United when there is a chance that full cooperation could negatively impact them. The company’s’ suggestion that unjust discipline will be limited to a small number of members is not acceptable. If we allow the injury of one to go unchallenged, it is only a matter of time before the company turns on all of us. 

The only way to beat United’s transgressions is with a show of solidarity for our brothers and sisters at every station. The company has recently requested additional conversations on the subject, and we will engage with the hope of saving both TSAP and LOSA, but only if we get a guarantee that the program remain non-punitive for all members at all stations. 

Teamsters don’t tolerate retaliation. We urge each of you to stand with us and continue to withhold cooperation with these programs. Now is the time to come together to prevent the company from chipping away at our contract, our agreements, and the protections within. 

In solidarity, 

Dave Saucedo
Director, Under-the-Wing
Teamsters Airline Division  

United Airlines Teamsters Update on TSAP and LOSA

Dear United Airlines Teamsters,

As negotiations with United Airlines continue, the Teamsters Airline Division has an important update for you regarding our participation in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Tech-Ops Safety Action Program (TSAP) and the United Airlines Line Operations Safety Assessment (LOSA) voluntary program. 

In exchange for open and candid reports, our members require assurances that this transparency will not be used against them in any way. We have communicated this to UAL and have patiently waited for any type of agreement or even acknowledgment to our requests to remedy our dispute. 

We have waited long enough. 

Moving forward, United Airlines Teamsters will not participate in TSAP or LOSA programs because the carrier has failed to ensure that our members will not be punished for voluntarily using the program. This is in spite of claims by the carrier and the FAA that participation in the TSAP program is non-punitive. 

Regarding LOSA, the company has refused all requests to standardize the program and honor their commitments. United has refused our demands for high level meetings and looks to continue abusing TSAP and LOSA as a way of punishing Teamsters for voluntarily reporting safety issues. 

Teamsters will not stand by and allow our members to be put at risk of unjust discipline by accepting United’s conditions for staying in the programs. As of this notice, we encourage all United Teamsters to reject cooperation in LOSA at all line stations. 

If an incident requires reporting, you are encouraged to utilize the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) found on the NASA (.gov) site. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to your local shop steward for more information. 

In Solidarity, 

Teamsters Airline Division