Union Seeks To Represent United Airlines Mechanics

Hoping to soon represent mechanics at United Airlines, on Wednesday the Teamsters Union slammed CEO Glenn Tilton over his management of the airline, saying it was time to "run the airline like a company, not a tag sale."

The union was responding to the announcement that the airline plans to cut capacity and ground as many as 20 airplanes, or four percent of its fleet. UAL has begun charging $25 for passengers to check a second bag and last week raised some fares by $50 per round trip, as ANN reported.

Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa said those added charges are little more than a new way for Tilton (right) to pad his pockets... while his airline continues to suffer operational malaise.

"Glenn Tilton is all too willing to cut the fleet and slash workers' wages, but he's not so eager to trim his own exorbitant pay package," said Hoffa. "Unless he shows genuine interest in rebuilding United, an airline that employees were once so proud to work for, it's time for him to go."

The Teamsters note United consistently receives failing grades for customer service, while its employees -- who the union says sacrificed billions in pension benefits and wages during UAL's bankruptcy reorganization -- continue to earn middling salaries.

Meanwhile, Tilton took home a pay package of salary, bonuses, and incentives worth $39.7 million in 2006. Since United emerged from bankruptcy in 2006, Tilton has actively pushed for airline consolidation as the wave of the future... while also parsing out pieces of the airline for sale.

Tilton proposed in August 2007 the sale of UAL's maintenance division, including its heavy maintenance base in San Francisco, which employs more than 4,000 mechanics. Shortly thereafter, UAL also announced plans to sell off its profitable Mileage Plus frequent flier program.

"United should be run like a company, not a tag sale," Hoffa said.

United Airline mechanics are in the midst of voting to switch representation to the Teamsters from the Airline Mechanics Fraternal Association. The voting period ends March 31.

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