Job Security, United negotiations

Talks continued throughout the last week between District 141 and the company in United negotiations. As we have noted before, the focus of United negotiations is job security – what real security is and what it will require to achieve it.

While both sides in United negotiations acknowledge the need and benefit of secured employment we differ on what it takes to get there. The company believes that a successful operation is the answer to job security.  We believe job security leads to a successful business. 

Federal Mediator Assigned United Negotiations

Our joint application in United negotiations for assistance from the National Mediation Board was received and accepted by the Board during the week. NMB Director, Larry Gibbons, has notified us that he has assigned Mediator Terri  Brown to United negotiations.  Ms. Brown has been a federal mediator since 2002 and has much experience within the transportation industry, both airlines and railroads.

We believe Ms. Brown will be helpful to United negotiations, but both United and the IAM intend to continue face to face discussions for the now.

United Express, Chicago

Discussions continue with United concerning the status of the United Express work at ORD. We continue to try to show that this necessary work should remain with United employees, represented by the IAM, instead of being turned over to a vendor.

All of the vendor bids have been received and are being evaluated by United. We anticipate a decision as to the successful bidder will be made within the next 2 weeks.

We will keep meeting with United over this work during this period and never give up trying to keep this work and the hundreds of jobs it requires.

UAL’s “WHQ” Move

Initial discussions have already begun with United regarding the impact on our Members that may be affected by the announced move by the company of their operation center (better known as WHQ–World Headquarters) to the Willis Tower (better known as the Sears Tower) in downtown Chicago. While the move is not expected to occur until next year, we have talked about those issues most immediately important to our Members – what available work will there be, what transportation options are available, what alternatives are there to this move. We will continue to meet with Labor Relations representatives over these issues and communicate them to our Stores, Food Service, and Public Contact Members currently working in Elk Grove.

Next in United Negotiations

United negotiations are in progress this week, August 10, 2009.

District 141 will not meet in United negotiations next week, August 17, due to the scheduled Transportation Department conference.

United negotiations will resume the following week, August 24.