WASHINGTON - Today, hundreds of United Airlines mechanics protested the airline’s contract offer by picketing outside key maintenance bases at the San Francisco, Houston and Orlando airports.
Earlier this week, mechanics voted down United’s contract proposal by 93 percent. Mechanics also voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. Over 9,000 mechanics at United are represented by the Teamsters Union, which will petition the National Mediation Board for a strike release.
The mechanics held picket signs that read, “Millions for UAL Execs—Peanuts for Passengers and Mechanics.” Line mechanics and technicians at other United facilities across the United States also participated today by wearing “Tell UAL: NO” stickers at their workplaces.
“The Teamsters have a long history of taking action to right injustices against workers by employers who put profits over people,” said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. “We stand with our United mechanics. On behalf of the 1.4 million-member Teamsters Union, we are committed to getting these mechanics an agreement that respects their work and their dedication.”
“The mechanics are not sitting on the sidelines. These men and women are loyal, highly-skilled individuals who deserve better than United Airlines’ substandard offer, especially considering that the company is earning record profits and spending billions to buy back stock. They’re rightly angry at United and voiced their frustrations today by picketing at key facilities,” said Capt. David Bourne, Director of the Teamsters Airline Division.
“I’m out here today because United Airlines shows no respect for our work or for the years of sacrifices we made to save this company,” said Deborah Ward-Crummey, a 27-year mechanic at United in San Francisco. “United’s proposal would allow aircraft maintenance to be outsourced, which we believe is not safe for passengers or the company’s long-term stability. It also fails to secure family health care protections, which will hurt my family and families across the nation.”
“These longtime, loyal mechanics will be taking their message to United’s customers and investors next, all of whom stand to lose if the company continues to treat its employees badly,” Bourne said.
SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters
