Hold Fast

For purpose of demonstrating resolve and solidarity before an antithetical managerial body demonstrably averse to modernizing their antiquated labor contract, some three-thousand United Airlines pilots—joined by ALPA president Captain Jason Ambrosi, fellow ALPA pilots, and union supporters—stood shoulder-to-shoulder throughout the duration of a 12 May coast-to-coast picketing campaign.

Staunch and orderly, the multitude of aviators, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association International (ALPA), resolutely protested management’s refusal to recognize the vital role United’s pilots play in the air-carrier’s success.

Captain Ambrosi stated: “I am proud to stand here today to send United Airlines management a message that the airline’s pilots have the full backing of their international union in their fight for the contract they have earned. United management needs to stop slow-rolling negotiations that have dragged into their fifth year and do the right thing for their pilots.”

United Airlines ALPA Master Executive Council (MEC) chair Captain Garth Thompson asserted: “United pilots will always be there for our customers. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about management, who seems to think that a last-minute cancellation of a United pilot’s scheduled day off, or abrupt trip reassignments that extend into planned days off is acceptable for a United pilot’s family. This is an example of how this old pilot contract impacts our ability to maintain a healthy work-life balance.”

Captain Thompson added: “United pilots will deal with this adversity in our usual professional and safe manner. We will continue to work in 2023 despite staffing shortages in Air Traffic Control facilities, aggressive summer schedules, capacity constraints, and weather. And most importantly, United pilots want the company and the public to know that the bold United Next growth plans cannot work without an updated pilot contract.”

Captain Thompson concluded: “Today’s nationwide picket was a resounding success. This is not just about pilots; it is about the future of United Airlines. We believe that United has the potential to be the biggest and best world-class airline, and we are committed to helping the company achieve its goals.”

FMI: www.united.com