The IAM, North America’s largest air transport labor union, today announced it has reached agreements in principle with United Airlines that would deliver the industry’s best wages and stronger job protections to approximately 30,000 IAM members at United Airlines.
The two-year tentative agreements cover seven different work classifications at the carrier, including Fleet Service Workers, Passenger Service Workers, Storekeepers, Central Load Planners, Maintenance Instructors, Fleet Technical Instructors and Security Officers.
Highlights of the tentative agreements include:
- Industry-best wage rates.
- The insourcing of five previously outsourced locations.
- Protection of full-time employment and opportunities.
- The permanent prohibition of outsourcing for 17 additional U.S. locations.
- Increased lead and specialty premiums.
- Extends system no lay-off protection to tens of thousands of more IAM members.
- Early opener of next negotiations and a signing bonus.
IAM District 141 members covered by the tentative agreements will receive more details and a ratification vote schedule will soon be announced. The IAM District 141 United Airlines Negotiations Committee unanimously recommends ratification.
“IAM members at United Airlines deserve the best in the industry—and that’s exactly what our tentative agreements have delivered,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “Our strength and solidarity from the shop floor to bargaining table made these strong tentative agreements possible. The IAM Negotiations Committee, District 141 and our team at the IAM Grand Lodge used every resource available to us to ensure our members’ voices were heard at the bargaining table.”
“I’d like to thank every IAM member at United Airlines for your patience and steadfast support during these last 14 months of negotiations,” said IAM District 141 President and Directing General Chair Mike Klemm. “Our bargaining power derives directly from all IAM members collectively demanding to achieve our stated contractual priorities and objectives. I’d also like to thank the IAM District 141 United Negotiations Committee. I want every IAM member to know that your committee represented your interests with the greatest of care, attention and detail. I also want to thank Air Transport General Vice President Richie Johnsen and his staff for their support and counsel. These agreements would not have been possible without the support and resources of the Grand Lodge.”
“IAM members at United Airlines are the people who make this carrier a leader in the global aviation industry,” said IAM Air Transport Territory Chief of Staff Edison Fraser. “They have earned the industry’s best agreements with strong job protections that will provide comfort to them and their families.”
“Job security and industry-leading wages are rightfully two top priorities for our membership at United Airlines,” said IAM Air Transport Territory Airline Coordinator Tom Regan. “A lot of hard work at the bargaining table went into delivering tentative agreements that will give our membership the respect they’ve earned.”