The meeting started on May 23 with a review of the previous ratification process. We talked about what went well and what didn't during that time. We had a good discussion where everyone shared their thoughts and ideas. Here are a few of the important things we talked about:
Yesterday, the United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee concluded the seventh round of bargaining in Chicago. During Thursday’s session, the committee reached an agreement in principle with the company on Article 6: RIF and Recall. In the agreement, the union successfully revised United’s Reduction in Force and Recall provisions to enhance Teamsters’ job protections and furlough rights when the company reduces the number of employees at a given station.
For over two decades, United Airlines Teamsters at the San Francisco Maintenance Center's Engine Shop have been contracted to maintain and repair the Pratt & Whitney F117 engines that power the C-17 Globemaster for the U.S. Air Force. This work is a source of pride for technicians at SFO, many of whom are U.S. military veterans. However, United recently announced that it will not renew its contract with Pratt & Whitney after it expires in 2027, ending work for Teamsters on the C-17 Globemaster and impacting over 100 technicians at SFO who are currently working on F117 engines.
The United Airlines Teamster National Negotiating Committee resumed negotiations with the carrier on Wednesday. Bargaining continued on United’s procedures during adverse conditions, with the committee fighting to ensure that United Airlines Teamsters are protected from harm as well as potential pay loss and disciplinary actions in the event a facility is impacted by extreme weather or a natural disaster. The committee is also calling for more proactive communication from United during these events so that Teamsters know the status of a facility well in advance of the start of a work shift.
The United Airlines Teamster National Negotiating Committee kicked off the sixth round of bargaining this week with the carrier in Chicago. Building off the tentative agreement reached during the last round of negotiations on investigatory meetings, the committee is now working towards finalizing the non-economic items of the contract with the company.
During Tuesday’s negotiations, the United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee continued to press the carrier to add language guaranteeing adequate union representation for members during investigatory procedures. The Teamsters demand a minimum of two union representatives present for all investigatory meetings between an employee and the company with certain limited exceptions. However, after two bargaining sessions, United has continued to counter the union’s proposal.
Bargaining with United Airlines continues this week with the United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee beginning negotiations in Denver on Monday. During today’s negotiations, the national negotiating committee called on the company to guarantee appropriate union representation for United Airlines Teamsters during investigatory procedures, including the ability for Teamsters-approved union representatives to fully participate in any investigation of a United Teamsters technician.
Recently, a letter from United was mailed to each of your home addresses about a free protection program available through Alight Solutions. If you follow the steps provided within the letter, the Program will reimburse your CARP account in the event of any unauthorized activity through no fault of your own.
This letter was distributed to the membership without notice to the Union. As a result, many of you began contacting your local stewards and Business Agents with your questions and concerns.
United Airlines Teamsters concluded the fourth round of bargaining this evening after three intense days of negotiations with the carrier in Chicago. While United Airlines attempts to move past the Teamsters’ non-economic proposals, the United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee is holding firm, demanding the carrier come to the table in good faith and take the union’s non-economic proposals seriously.
Bargaining continues in Chicago between United Airlines and the Teamsters National Negotiating Committee. Yesterday, the union hammered home the need for the company to prioritize the safety of Teamsters during extreme weather events like hurricanes. Teamsters negotiated with the company late into the evening, demanding United recognize local and state authorities during states of emergency and allow technicians certain protections under the “Adverse—Open” designation.
The fight for safety and fairness continues as the Teamsters began the fourth round of negotiations with United Airlines in Chicago yesterday. Fresh off last week's partial tentative agreement on field trips, United is already backpedaling, raising objections to the definition of field trips and trying to water down protections for ground service and facility technicians.
On September 19th, Airline Division “Below the Wing” Director Bob Fisher travelled to New York to provide a status update on the United Airline mechanics contract negotiations and the broader state of the industry with stock analysts at six of Wall Street’s largest banks and brokerage firms.
One key industry issue discussed with the analysts is the widespread and worsening shortage of airline technicians within the industry, and how this staffing issue could impact future growth for United Airlines and the industry at large. Analysts expressed surprise at the scale and scope of this issue, and mentioned most have never discussed the mechanics shortage issue before with either the airlines or unions representing airline mechanics.
Today, the Teamsters concluded the third round of negotiations with United Airlines in Denver, Colorado. The newly formed subcommittee on Article 12: Field Trips continued discussions with the company about safety procedures for Teamsters who are sent to work at other stations, reaching a partial tentative agreement with the carrier that requires two Teamsters employees to be present on all United-related service requests for field trips.
“After intense back and forth with the company the last two days, this provision will greatly improve Teamsters’ safety on the job,” said Clacy Griswold, Chairman of the United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee. “We have been trying for over a decade to get this critical safety provision included in our contract, and it’s because of the unity of our negotiating committee we were finally able to get the company to agree.”
Today, the Teamsters wrapped up the second round of negotiations with United Airlines in Denver, Colorado. After an initial tentative agreement was reached to increase the Teamsters’ recall rights from six to 10 years, the company has not made movement on all other non-economic proposals presented by the union.
As negotiations continue with United Airlines in Denver, the Teamsters United Airlines National Negotiating Committee is proud to announce movement on a critical issue related to job security during this round of bargaining.
During the opening of this week’s negotiations, Teamsters demanded changes to Article 6, increasing furlough protections for United Airlines Teamsters. After pressuring the company, the union is proud to announce that the carrier has tentatively agreed to increase the timeline for Teamsters’ recall rights from six years to 10 years.
Today, The Teamsters began the second round of negotiations with United Airlines in Denver, Colorado. After presenting United Airlines with all non-economic proposals during the first round of negotiations, the company offered counterproposals to issues identified by the Teamsters during the previous round of bargaining.
Today, three Teamsters from United Airlines — Ron Forziati, Phil Scardino, and Tom Fenchel – addressed union leaders from across the country at the Eastern Regional Conference in Boston.
“It’s crucial that we fight for our brothers and sisters when it’s time to stand up to United,” said Forziati, a Local 25 member who serves on the United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee. “In my 28 years as a United Airlines technician, I have never seen more determination or unity from Teamsters across the country. United Airlines is in for some turbulence when negotiations continue next week in Denver.”
Concerns for airworthiness safety is a cornerstone subject with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters that we accept with the most importance. Not only are we protecting the livelihoods of our members and their families, the continued devotion to safety is also a real benefit to the flying public which we are proud to defend.
