Good morning Sisters and Brothers,                                                                               

I’m excited to share with you today that IAM District 141 and United Airlines have agreed to begin the process of negotiating seven contracts covering approximately 28,000 IAM members and discuss entering expedited negotiations. 

The expedited process will give IAM members at United the opportunity to improve wages, benefits, and working conditions in the very near future. We used a similar model back in 2016 with great success, and both IAM District 141 and United agreed to discuss trying it again. Our hope is we can replicate that success, which brought us industry-leading contracts at the time.

As always, IAM members at United will decide which issues we bargain, just as we did in the 2016 expedited process, via a survey and contract proposal process. On Monday, November 1, 2021, the survey and request for proposals will be available for all IAM-represented United Airlines workers via the IAM141.org website. The survey will be available for 21 days, until November 22, 2021. Shortly thereafter, the IAM District 141 Negotiations Committee will convene and compile the survey and proposal information and identify membership priorities.

In early December, IAM District 141 will meet with United Airlines to discuss the issues that may be bargained in an expedited process. It is important to understand that if United Airlines refuses to agree to bargain any issues that IAM members have identified as priorities, IAM District 141 will not proceed with expedited negotiations and instead initiate the traditional collective bargaining process.

It is of utmost importance that all IAM members employed at United Airlines engage in the survey/proposal process. The issues that the membership identifies as priorities will be addressed in these negotiations and guide your Negotiating Committee. The goal is to achieve well-deserved improvements in identified priorities. IAM members at United have been a major part of the very positive change and success at United Airlines over the last five years.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of all IAM members at United to participate in the survey and submit contract proposals. Successful collective bargaining is best achieved when it is member-driven from the bottom up. Our power lies in our unity and participation in every aspect of collective bargaining.

As is always the case, whatever way we reach a potential agreement with  United Airlines, IAM members will have the final say and vote on any tentative agreements that are reached.

In Solidarity,

Michael G. Klemm