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Union gets US airline mechanics’ vote
3 April 2008
Mechanics employed by a US international carrier have voted to be represented by the ITF-affiliated Teamsters Union by 4,113 votes to 2,631, it was announced earlier this week.
The 9,300 United Airlines mechanics who comprise the bargaining unit will become Teamsters as soon as the National Mediation Board, the agency that facilitates labour relations in the airline sector, certifies the vote.
The vote is the culmination of a two-year effort by the mechanics and other related personnel to gain strong representation.
Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa commented: “United mechanics will now have the Teamsters’ strength behind them in their fight against outsourcing to foreign repair stations.”
“United has cut more maintenance positions than any other US airline,” Hoffa said, noting that United outsourced 45 per cent of its aircraft maintenance expenses in 2006, three times the amount it outsourced in 1998.
Hoffa also said that the Teamsters would support the mechanics in their efforts to curb excessive executive compensation and restore their own retirement security.
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