Summary

  • United Airlines AMTs demanded better pay, safety standards, and healthcare at a recent protest.
  • The union emphasized the need for United to acknowledge the crucial role of AMTs and offer improved compensation.
  • United Airlines faces employee discontent, with flight attendants also voting for a potential strike to demand better wages.

United Airlines’ aircraft maintenance staff is demanding a better contract and recently rallied across the country. The union representing the workers said that United has been slow in its negotiations and is demanding greater recognition for their work and improved wages, among other things.

Demand for a better contract

On August 30, many

United Airlines

Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) picketed outside of airport terminals across the country, demanding a better contract that reflects increased pay, higher safety standards, and more comprehensive health care coverage.

United Airlines aircraft at Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

Photo: Gondronx Studio | Shutterstock

United has more than 10,000 critical technicians working on its fleet maintenance, and they are now demanding better compensation. Sean M. O’Brien, the General President of the union Teamsters, highlighted that United is making significant profits now, but “the dividends do not trickle down to the workers responsible for keeping United’s planes in the air.”

He said that United’s members are fighting as one and want the company to know that enough is enough, adding, “We will secure a record contract, despite United’s games and ongoing disrespect.”

Protests outside terminals

The carrier’s aircraft maintenance staff rallied outside several key airports in the country, including those in Boston, Chicago, Denver, Washington, D.C., Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, Orlando, and Tampa. Teamsters Airline Division Director Chris Griswold commented,

“The Teamsters at United Airlines are the best in the industry and abide by the highest standards under the FAA. United AMTs put their credentials and personal safety on the line every day so that passengers can enjoy safe flights and United can bask in its status as a major international carrier. We are demanding United recognizes the vital role the Teamsters play in the company’s success by agreeing to a strong new contract its AMTs have earned.”

Martin Acosta, a seven-year United technician and a member of Teamsters Local 769, emphasized the importance of the current protest, saying that the fight is not just for a contract that determines the next five years. The workers want an industry-leading contract that will change the status quo for the next generation of United AMTs.

With the union accusing United of having “slow-walked negotiations” so far, it remains to be seen how soon the airline’s management will get back on the negotiating table with the union to resolve this issue.

Flight attendants vote to strike

The maintenance worker’s rally came close on the heels of

United’s flight attendants voting in favor of a strike authorization

. The vote for strike authorization was nearly 100% and announced at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD).

Again, the main issue was that United’s profit was not shared fairly among its employees. Ken Diaz, the President of AFA’s United Chapter, said that the United management team gave themselves massive compensation increases while Flight Attendants struggled to pay basic bills.

United Airlines Boeing 787-10 landing at LAX shutterstock_1894185601

Photo: Angel DiBilio | Shutterstock

United said that it will continue to work on an industry-leading contract for flight attendants and that negotiations will continue this week and every month through November. It added that “both sides have been actively engaged in these negotiations facilitated by the federal mediator requested by the union. We remain eager to reach an agreement.”

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