Want Contract Talks To Start Two Years Early

Maybe it's something in the water in the meeting halls. Hot on the heels of a blistering letter sent by newly-elected leaders of the Allied Pilots Association to American Airlines CEO Gerard Arpey... the new chairmen of the pilots association at United Airlines have a similar -- albeit more civil -- message for executives at the Chicago-based carrier.

The Chicago Tribune reports Boeing 747 captain Steve Wallach is the new chairman of the master executive council of the Air Line Pilots Association at United. Pilot Jeff Barath is the new vice-chairman.

Both men will likely bring a more confrontational attitude to negotiations over a new contract for United pilots, an unnamed senior United pilot who knows both men told the Tribune -- noting Barath was part of a team that won steep contract concessions from United management in 2000.

"You'll have a team that charts a more confrontational approach and also is diligent, prepared in how they go about it," the source said.

Talks on a new contract for United pilots aren't due to start for over two years... but many pilots want those talks to start a lot sooner, especially in the aftermath of the one-time stock bonuses and other perks United CEO Glenn Tilton and others took after the airline emerged from Chapter 11 in 2006... while employees were left with deep cuts in their pay

As ANN reported, about 400 United employees picketed outside a May shareholders meeting, the first held in five years. The event was intended to celebrate the improvement in the once-bankrupt carrier's fortunes... but instead turned into an open confrontation between airline executives, and the workers under them.

Wallach, in particular, will play a vital role in shaping relations between labor and management at United. In addition to chairing the MEC at United's ALPA branch, the post also gives him seat on the United board... and an outlet to take his message to highers-up at the airline.

Airline consultant Michael Boyd has a good idea what that message will be. "If you have labor upset, it's for a reason," Boyd said. "At this point labor is going to say, 'I don't care about $80 [per barrel] oil. We want ours back.'"

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