United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee Defers Final Noneconomic Proposals, Pushes Forward Towards Economic Discussion

The United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee continued bargaining on Wednesday with the company, finalizing the last bargaining session before the contract’s December 5 amendable date. After starting the process of revamping the system bid protocol and finally receiving data from the company regarding the attendance of United Airlines Teamsters during adverse conditions, the committee decided to revisit these issues until later in the negotiating process. Negotiations on Article 5: Filling of Vacancies and Article 7: Hours of Service will continue after bargaining on the contract’s economic issues are complete.  

“We came ready to finalize the noneconomic items, but United so far has not shown the same sense of urgency or respect for the process as the committee,” said Clacy Griswold, Committee Chairman. “With the amendable date on December 5, we have no time to deal with the company's games. Its time for economic discussions.”

 Wednesday’s bargaining session comes on the heels of United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby announcing a $500 million expansion for the carrier at Washington-Dulles International Airport. The committee is planning to use this announcement and other recent developments at United as a proof point for industry-leading wages and benefits when economic negotiations begin.

 “United is not shy about advertising its recent success and profitability in the media, yet it won’t even agree to our noneconomic proposals at the table,” said Joe Prisco, a Teamsters Local 986 technician out of San Francisco International Airport and member of the negotiating committee. “We can’t afford to delay the economic discussion any longer. The committee is ready to win the contract we have earned for helping United reach record profits.”

 Bargaining with United will continue until December 5.