United Airlines mechanics may vote on whether to switch to representation by the Teamsters, in a move the union said could thwart a plan by the carrier’s parent to sell its maintenance unit.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters expects a vote in the next six weeks after asking the National Mediation Board Monday for an election by mechanics at Chicago-based United, Clacy Griswold, the union’s airline-division representative, said on a conference call.
The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, which has its national headquarters in Aurora, represented 5,524 workers at UAL Corp.’s United as of Dec. 31.
The Teamsters union is opposed to UAL’s plan to sell all or parts of some units such as its maintenance operations and frequent-flier program. UAL has said it would choose a buyer for the maintenance unit by the end of the year and then take a proposal to union leaders. Major U.S. airlines are being pressed by some investors to sell assets as a way to boost stock prices.
A sale of the maintenance unit would violate terms of the mechanics’ labor contract with UAL, Griswold told reporters on the call. The Teamsters would “do everything in our power” to enforce that contract and stop a sale, while also seeking to open the terms for renegotiation earlier than the end of 2009, which is now the earliest date the accord can be changed, he said.
The Teamsters’ plan “is wishful thinking” because the contract “clearly allows” United to sell the unit, said Steve McFarlane, AMFA’s assistant national director. “It’s a promise the Teamsters are making in a political environment that has no basis.”
United spokeswoman Jean Medina said the company will “work cooperatively with the union” if it sells the maintenance business. It’s up to the employees to choose which labor group represents them, she said.
