Say AMFA Failed To Curtail Outsourcing

Monday's vote by mechanics at United Airlines to change union representation was nothing short of a referendum against the carrier's practice of outsourcing maintenance... and the perceived failure of the last mechanics union to stop it.

The Teamsters were voted in by the majority of the 6,500 mechanics at United, ousting the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association. AMFA is expected to step aside following certification of the vote results by the National Mediation Board.

The successful vote was the culmination of a two-year wooing effort by the Teamsters, according to Reuters, during which time the union pledged to fight United's ongoing efforts to outsource greater percentages of its maintenance operations to foreign-owned shops.

"United mechanics will have the Teamsters strength behind them in their fight against outsourcing to foreign repair stations," Teamsters President Jim Hoffa said.

By its own acknowledgment, United sends all its heavy maintenance, repair and overhaul work, and up to 20 percent of its light line service, to foreign shops. The carrier says the practice is necessary to trim costs.

"United is committed to working productively with the elected representatives of our employees, and we look forward to working with the Teamsters to ensure United's position as a strong, profitable and competitive airline," United said following the union vote.

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