Update

Rich Delaney, 07 April 2014: Download

United Airlines today has announced their commitment to reduce their reliance on outside vendors performing ground handling work. United has previously announced the Above the Wing Express work in DEN will be insourced and performed by IAM represented United employees. Today’s announcement expands the insourcing work to Above the Wing in IAD and Below the Wing in PHX.

The work in PHX will be turned over to IAM represented Ramp Service in June 2014. The DEN and IAD work is planned for a full turn over in the fall. However, these planned vacancies will be made available right away in order to provide options for CLE employees choosing to exercise their seniority through system transfers. The currently vendored work will not completely transition to United until the 3rd Quarter of 2014 but members will be able to transfer to these stations and prepare to take over the work now.

This announcement comes after many discussions between the IAM and United and is the first movement towards meaningful insourcing under our current Agreement. The vacancies created by the shift away from outside contractors will not only provide opportunities for CLE members forced to choose between furlough and movement but will also open up opportunities for members in other stations to use their seniority to voluntarily transfer. As those jobs are filled through hiring new employees, all IAM members’ employment is more secure.

 

Bill Pizzuli
District 141 Trustee
LL 1731 Committee Chair CLE