United Teamsters Begin Fourth Round of Bargaining in Chicago 

The fight for safety and fairness continues as the Teamsters began the fourth round of negotiations with United Airlines in Chicago yesterday. Fresh off last week's partial tentative agreement on field trips, United is already backpedaling, raising objections to the definition of field trips and trying to water down protections for ground service and facility technicians.

But the Teamsters aren’t backing down at the table. “After agreeing to a major safety provision for Teamsters at United last week, the carrier is once again slow-walking negotiations," said Clacy Griswold, Chairman of the United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee. "For years, our members have been risking their personal safety on these field trips. We won’t rest until every single United Airlines Teamster gets the safety protections they deserve."

Teamsters Demand United Follows Government Guidelines during Severe Weather

United Airlines Teamsters are demanding the carrier address safety concerns around severe weather and emergencies. The union insists the airline follow government guidelines, especially during dangerous events like hurricanes, instead of putting technicians in harm’s way by relying on company policies. Currently, United can force Teamsters to work even when local authorities say it’s too dangerous. Rank-and-file Teamsters on the negotiating committee are calling on the company to prioritize safety in the next contract. 

"United has a troubling habit of ignoring local safety warnings during extreme weather," said Gus Pappas, a member of Teamsters Local 769 serving on the National Negotiating Committee. "Time after time, we are left in the dark with no information from United, unsure if it’s even safe to show up. Safety is our number one priority, and we expect United to care as much about our lives as it does about its passengers.” 

Negotiations in Chicago will continue until September 26.

United Teamsters Demand Carrier Follow Expert Guidelines During Extreme Weather

Bargaining continues in Chicago between United Airlines and the Teamsters National Negotiating Committee. Yesterday, the union hammered home the need for the company to prioritize the safety of Teamsters during extreme weather events like hurricanes. Teamsters negotiated with the company late into the evening, demanding United recognize local and state authorities during states of emergency and allow technicians certain protections under the “Adverse—Open” designation. 

“It’s worrisome that the carrier believes they are better equipped to determine what an adverse weather condition is than local and state authorities,” said Clacy Griswold, Chairman of the United Airlines Teamsters National Negotiating Committee. "United Airlines Teamsters should not have to worry about the status of their employment as they prepare for states of emergency, and we will fight with the company until that is a reality." 

New Subcommittee Formed to Create System Bidding Process

United Airlines Teamsters are also fighting for improvements to the carrier’s proposal for a new bidding process for technicians. After the company presented its program for the system bidding process, the union formed a new subcommittee with the goal of building a more transparent, accessible, and informational bid procedure. The subcommittee’s first task is to compile a list of demands to submit to the carrier for future discussion.

"Our concern with United’s proposed system is that it takes away the notifications we get when a system bid is open. As of now, we stand to lose our biggest benefit of the current process with United’s new program," said Jasmine Johnson, a member of Teamsters Local 986 from Seattle/Tacoma International Airport serving on the national negotiating committee. “We are not going to give up the notification system we rely on. I’m looking forward to building a more inclusive and transparent bid process with the company.”