United Airlines Teamsters Conclude Eighth Round of Bargaining in Denver, Reaches Agreement in Principle on Grievance Procedure, Board of Arbitration

The United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee concluded the eighth round of bargaining with the company Thursday in Denver by locking in critical victories. After reaching a tentative agreement on Article 11: Sick Leave and Occupational Injury on Tuesday, the committee won an agreement in principle with the company on Articles 19 and 20: Grievance Procedure and Board of Arbitration. 

Thanks to the unwavering advocacy and determination of the negotiating committee, United is now required to provide the union with all documents that it plans to use at all stages of the grievance process upon the Teamsters’ request. This will provide more transparency into the company’s actions during disciplinary cases and ensure that United Airlines Teamsters involved in the process are not blindsided by surprise charges or claims by the carrier. The committee also successfully obtained a provision to add a neutral facilitator to provide unbiased, non-binding advice to the System Board during grievance procedures. 

“For months, we have been fighting tooth and nail with the company to ensure United Airlines Teamsters have a more level playing field during the grievance process, and we won thanks to the determination of rank-and-file committee members,” said Clacy Griswold, Chairman of the United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee. “This was a fantastic week of bargaining, and we can now declare victory by reaching agreements for some of the most contentious issues in the contract.” 

The last remaining non-economic issue to negotiate is Article 7: Hours of Service. As part of their fight to ensure technicians aren’t forced to report to work during natural disasters and other emergencies, the union is demanding United provide critical data regarding the number of United Airlines Teamsters affected when the employer formally declares a facility is open during adverse conditions. 

“We are extremely close to moving towards negotiating our pay and health care, but we are not going to put the cart before the horse, which is exactly what United wants,” said Martin Acosta, a Teamsters Local 769 technician out of Orlando International Airport and member of the negotiating committee. “The committee is not going to agree to something without having all the information available. If United really wants to move this process forward, it will provide the data we are asking for.” 

The next round of negotiations will take place in San Francisco from December 3-5. The committee aims to complete bargaining on non-economic matters by the end of the next session