Machinists Union Reaches Tentative Agreements for 32,500 at United Airlines (IAMAW)
February 13, 2013
Less than a year after resolving all representational disputes at the airline formed by a merger of United, Continental and Continental Micronesia airlines, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) today announced three tentative agreements for 32,500 employees in the Ramp/Fleet Service, Public Contact/Reservations and Stock Clerk/Stores classifications at the world’s largest airline.
Negotiations for 1,500 IAM-represented employees in the Fleet Maintenance Instructor, Fleet Technical Instructor, Food Service Employee and Security Officer classifications are continuing.
“These landmark agreements provide retroactive wage increases, signing bonuses, traditional pension increases plus a 401(k) match, improved job security and additional affordable healthcare options,” said IAM District 141 President Rich Delaney. “The IAM negotiating committee is unanimously recommending ratification of each of the tentative agreements.”
Full details of the tentative agreements will be provided to members and informational meetings will be held prior to ratification voting, which will be conducted by mail. Additional details regarding voting and a schedule of informational meetings will be posted at www.iam141.org.
While negotiations for IAM members at United began in 2009, the process was stalled pending the outcome of representation disputes following the carrier’s 2010 merger with Continental Airlines and Continental Micronesia. Representatives from Continental and Continental Micronesia work groups were added to the IAM’s negotiating committees following the IAM’s successful campaigns to represent the combined groups of employees.
“IAM negotiators blended multiple contracts and policies from three different airlines covering several classifications,” said IAM General Vice President Sito Pantoja. “No other union has ever had to deal with such a tremendous undertaking in a single round of negotiations. The IAM negotiating committee did an excellent job in unprecedented circumstances.”
Representing more than 100,000 airline workers, the IAM is the world’s largest airline union, and is the largest union at United Airlines. More information about the IAM at United Airlines is available at www.iam141.org.