'Sick-Out' Ruling Bars Pilots From Disrupting Operations

A federal judge has spoken... and pilots at United Airlines have been rebuked for an alleged "sick-out" at the embattled carrier earlier this year.

According to the Chicago Tribune, the United chapter of the Air Line Pilots Association and four pilots were barred from conducting activities that could disrupt normal business operations at the airline.

As ANN reported, both sides went to court after United accused ALPA of organizing a "sick-out" over the peak summer travel season, which the airline blamed for the cancellation of 329 flights from July 19-27. Such labor actions are not allowed under the Railway Labor Act.

While it's no secret pilots are the most vocal opponents of United CEO Glenn Tilton and other executives, ALPA denied the charges... while also noting such allegations would be difficult for United management to prove in the first place, as the pilots accused of organizing the sick-out used an unofficial phone-tree system designed to leave nothing behind in written or e-mail form.

Nevertheless, the judge agreed with United... and if past history is an indicator, the pilots may face steep fines for their alleged actions. United says the sick-out cost the carrier $8 million in lost revenue, and $3.9 million in operating profit.

"While there is always room for discussion and tough give-and-take about our business, deliberate actions that unfairly or unlawfully impact our customers and employees — and that keep us from achieving our full potential — will not go unchallenged," United COO John Tague said in an e-mail to employees.

An ALPA spokesman did not immediately return a call from the Tribune for comment.

FMI: www.united.com, www.alpa.org