TSAP Update

Brothers and Sisters,

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. 

Recently there have been some events within the TSAP process that have raised some serious concerns to the membership. By their actions, we question whether UAL leadership are as committed to the overall safety program as they have led us to believe. In more than one case, they have gone back on agreements made within the program with little or no reasonable explanation. The addition or threat of discipline in some cases has given us a very valid reason to pause the program while we work out our differences. 

The Teamsters will continue to protect the integrity of flight safety and commit to a mutual agreement among the parties. However, we will not be pushed or coerced into re-defining that agreement when it puts our members at risk or degrades the integrity of the program. 

The company was assured in a meeting yesterday that the Union would review the overall TSAP program and come back with recommendations on a plan moving forward. Soon after that meeting, a communication was sent through the Senior Vice President of Tech Ops to all technicians which undermines that plan. The current TSAP program is flawed but can be corrected if UAL is serious about its commitment to the safety of the aircraft and the employees. Attempts by UAL to “bargain from the floor” offer us some legitimate proof that the overall commitment may not be universally shared by all members of management. 

The Teamster leadership will continue to discuss the TSAP program and move in the direction that is right for our members. We will keep you informed to that end.