10 July 2014,
District 141 members in OGG, LIH, and KOA today voted to accept modifications in their contract that will retain IAM-represented United employees in those stations. These stations, along with 12 others, were under review by the company for probable contracting out of both Above the Wing and Below the Wing work. Under the provisions of the current Agreement, United was required to meet and negotiate with District 141 to determine if modifications could be acceptably made to the contract to prevent the contracting out of work.
These negotiations resulted in modification of wage rates, suspension of company matching contributions to individual’s 401(k) savings plans, and scheduling flexibility. The tentative agreement between District 141 and United was then put before the members in the specific stations subject to these changes.
Members voted overwhelmingly to accept the tentative agreement and easily reached the required two thirds majority threshold called for in our contract.
Many thanks go to the station representatives and United management for their willingness to work together to find a solution to the clear and present threat of competitive operating costs from outside vendors. Through their focus on the needs and concerns of our Hawaiian Island membership and their families creative answers were found for a very difficult problem.
We also want to thank Senator Schatz for his interest and willingness to bring our issue to the attention of his fellow legislators and for his direct communication with United’s senior most executives.
The effective date of implementation of this newly ratified changes is October 1, 2014.