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13 February, 2002Union members turn down deal proposed by United Airlines and vote in favour of strike action.
USA: On February 12, over 13,000 United Airlines mechanics and utility employees, represented by the IMF-affiliated International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), voted by a margin of 2 to 1 (68 per cent) to reject a contract offer by the company. The employer's bid included terms proposed by the contested Presidential Emergency Board (PEB), a panel of arbitrators appointed by U.S. President George W. Bush to make recommendations in the two-year-old contract dispute at the nation's No. 2 airline.
The IAM reported in separate voting that 86 per cent of its United mechanics have authorised strike action, which could begin as soon as February 20, unless a last-minute settlement can be reached after negotiations resume on February 15.
Although the PEB had recommended an increase in pay of up to 37 per cent for the most experienced mechanics, the IAM said that "the PEB offer contains language requiring Machinists' participation in an unspecified financial recovery plan that could result in a substantial reversal of pay and benefits initially proposed." Other IAM concerns with regard to the proposed contract involve insufficient retirement benefits, job security and an installment plan for retroactive pay.
Top-earning mechanics at other major U.S. airlines earn an hourly wage which is approximately 30 per cent above the rate at United Airlines, where mechanics have not received a base-pay raise since 1994 and have been working under the terms of their old contract for 19 months.
Once the dispute is settled with the mechanics, United has still to resolve a two-year contract impasse with 30,000 ramp and customer service employees.
NOTE: On February 18 a tentative agreement was reached for United mechanics and related employees. A ratification vote will take place on March 5, and the strike deadline has been extended to March 7. Details of the agreement will be forthcoming.
The IAM reported in separate voting that 86 per cent of its United mechanics have authorised strike action, which could begin as soon as February 20, unless a last-minute settlement can be reached after negotiations resume on February 15.
Although the PEB had recommended an increase in pay of up to 37 per cent for the most experienced mechanics, the IAM said that "the PEB offer contains language requiring Machinists' participation in an unspecified financial recovery plan that could result in a substantial reversal of pay and benefits initially proposed." Other IAM concerns with regard to the proposed contract involve insufficient retirement benefits, job security and an installment plan for retroactive pay.
Top-earning mechanics at other major U.S. airlines earn an hourly wage which is approximately 30 per cent above the rate at United Airlines, where mechanics have not received a base-pay raise since 1994 and have been working under the terms of their old contract for 19 months.
Once the dispute is settled with the mechanics, United has still to resolve a two-year contract impasse with 30,000 ramp and customer service employees.
NOTE: On February 18 a tentative agreement was reached for United mechanics and related employees. A ratification vote will take place on March 5, and the strike deadline has been extended to March 7. Details of the agreement will be forthcoming.