UAL Mechanics Reject TA, Negotiating Committee Prepares to Return to Table
Voting on a transition agreement that provided a substantial pay raise, a reduction of out sourcing as a result of stronger scope language, the reopening of many stations and never before agreed to recall and furlough protection that was designed to provide negotiators a better starting point in upcoming amalgamation talks, the UAL mechanics have rejected the proposed agreement in a vote counted this week.
"We respect the vote of the membership," said Division Director David Bourne. "We also understand the desire to regain the losses of their previous contracts. Our goal for the mechanics was to get them initial raises, ensure they had job protections and other improvements in the interim as we moved into the contract amalgamation; a process which would keep the company from going to mediation and dragging the discussions out for years. Once that interim step was done, we could then go immediately into the amalgamated discussions for the combined UAL/CAL group and gain even more," said Bourne. "We are now standing ready to get back to the table and negotiate the items as directed by our members.
On Friday, the following letter sent on Friday to UAL management.
June 3, 2011
P. Douglas McKeen
Senior Vice President
Labor Relations, United Airlines
77 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60601
Dear Doug:
This letter is to serve as a confirmation of our telephone discussion this morning. As I advised you, in a vote count yesterday, the UAL mechanics represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Airline Division have rejected the Tentative Agreement that was reached by the union negotiating committee and the company.
I believe it is in the best interests of our membership and the company to return to the bargaining table as soon as possible to address the outstanding concerns raised by our UAL membership. The union negotiating committee and International representatives from my office stand willing and able to meet with you and your designees immediately, beginning Monday, June 6th and on through any dates throughout the month and beyond, if necessary. I would ask that you contact me as soon as possible with your list of all available dates so that we can begin the process of scheduling the meetings and beginning new discussions to conclude a new agreement.
If you have any questions, please contact me at 202-624-6848 or by email.
Sincerely,
/s/
David P. Bourne
Director, Airline Division
"The negotiating committee's work continues," said Clacy Griswold, Business Agent for Local 986. "We had hoped to plan our steps now for upcoming amalgamation discussions based on higher wages and improved job protections for UAL mechanics. The biggest disappointment now is that the company will now have the ability to increase outsourcing and furlough employees with no rights; something we had stopped with this agreement."
