Employees of United Airlines in Denver reacted with dismay and anger but not surprise Tuesday after the company received approval to terminate their pension plans.
“I feel like I’ve been kicked in the stomach,” said Sandra Gardner, 44, a 16-year United customer-service agent and a local official with the International Association of Machinists.
“If there’s any good to come out of it, I hope that United will be a viable company and that I will have something to look forward to as I approach retirement,” she said.
Like many United workers, Gardner said she probably will have to delay her retirement. She had planned to retire early at 55 but may have to work another 10 years.
Bob Worthman, a United ramp serviceman for about 30 years, said his retirement pay will be slashed nearly in half.
He had expected to earn about $3,000 a month upon retiring in five years at age 55, but now that payment will be closer to $1,700, he said. The Westminster father of two said he probably will work until at least 62.
“This is another blow to all the retirees and to the people that wanted to retire from United,” he said.
During United’s more than two years in bankruptcy, its workers have accepted cuts in pay and other benefits. They also have lost the value of their employee-owned United stock.
Today, a court hearing will begin in Chicago on United’s effort to impose another round of pay cuts.
Worthman, also a machinists union official, said he and other workers are angered by what they see as United management’s arrogance.
“This is supposed to be shared suffering. All we keep hearing about is management bonuses and how they need to keep those people. What have they done for us other than three years in bankruptcy?” he said.
Mechanic Bill Moons said the reaction on the floor at United’s Denver International Airport operation was of “anger and outrage.” The reduction in pension benefits further demoralizes workers, and many are talking of finding jobs elsewhere, he said.
“Our retirement is now transferable. It doesn’t hold us to United Airlines any more,” he said.
Staff writer Greg Griffin can be reached at 303-820-1241 or ggriffin@denverpost.com.
