United Ground Express (UGE) Negotiations Update

United Ground Express (UGE) Negotiations Update

United Ground Express (UGE) Contract Negotiations Update

7 March 2025

Dear Sisters and Brothers at United Ground Express,

Many of you have asked what happens when our contract reaches its amendable date on March 5, 2025. We want to be clear: your contract does not expire on that date. It remains in effect until a new agreement is negotiated, finalized, and approved by a membership vote, as specified in Section 10 of the agreement. This means you will continue to work under the same pay, benefits, and protections while we push for improvements at the bargaining table.

Last week, the Negotiating Team convened in Houston, where we continued to exchange and discuss proposals concerning Section 4 (Hours of Service), Section 6 (Seniority and Leaves of Absence), and Section 8 (Grievance Procedure).

We are also close to finalizing language in Section 7 regarding union representation, a standard protection in most airline contracts. Additionally, we continue to push for improvements to Section 5, which would allow workers to convert their Paid Time Off (PTO) into vacation days and paid sick leave.

The Negotiating Team will return to the bargaining table next week in Chicago to continue our discussions with UGE. We remain focused on securing stronger protections and improvements to your quality of life.

Wages, job security, and financial stability are critical concerns. We are actively negotiating these issues and will provide updates as soon as concrete progress is made.

Your voice is critical in this process. Stay informed, talk to your Negotiating Team, and be ready to make your voice heard when the time comes to vote.

In Solidarity,

IAM District 141 Negotiating Committee
Warren Glenn
Robert Jesel
Chris Lusk
John Staton, Jr.
Gary Welch

Michael G Klemm
President and Directing General Chair,
District 141,
International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers

Recording Secretaries: Please print and post on all UGE bulletin Boards.

United Negotiations Update

United Negotiations Update

United Contract Negotiations Update

3 March 2025

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Your IAM District 141 negotiating team and United Airlines management continued contract negotiations last week in Orlando, Florida, for seven different contracts. The Fleet Technical Instructor and Related (FTI) sub-committee joined us to work on their contract proposals.

During discussions regarding FTI issues, we made progress on Article 4 proposals submitted by our members from that classification. The issues we addressed included limits on working past midnight before vacation, reserve release time, rest period notification, AUTO, overtime, and monthly and daily scheduling. We also discussed and worked on EPI/FTI scheduling issues at the DENFTC.

The session also focused on Article 4 language for the Passenger Service and Fleet contracts. While we continued making progress on key issues for our members – such as shift bidding, part-time meal periods, and increasing flexibility in trade language to align with industry standards – we have not yet reached agreements that we feel meet the needs of our membership.

It is crucial for all our members to understand that there is no definitive meal period window for part-time employees in these two classifications. More importantly, there is no penalty when these employees – who make up 45-50% of our membership – are not provided a meal break at all. In 2025, failing to guarantee a defined meal period or compensation when one is not provided is unacceptable, especially when the company we work for continues to generate billions of dollars in profit year after year.

We will return to the negotiating table the week of March 10, 2025, when the subcommittees from the Maintenance Instructors and Central Load Planner contracts will join us.

In Solidarity,

Your Negotiating Committee
Olu Ajetomobi
Joe Bartz
Jill Hazamy
Victor Hernandez
Barb Martin
Terry Stansbury
Faysal Silwany
Erik Stenberg
Sue Weisner

Michael G Klemm
President and Directing General Chair,
District 141,
International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers

Recording Secretaries: Please print and post on all IAMAW bulletin Boards.

The 2025 Adolph Stutz Scholarship Essay Contest is NOW UNDERWAY!

The 2025 Adolph Stutz Scholarship Essay Contest is NOW UNDERWAY!

District Lodge 141 Announces the 2025 Adolph Stutz Memorial Scholarship Essay Contest!

IAM District 141 is now accepting applications for the 2025 Adolph Stutz Memorial Scholarship Essay Contest, which awards $8,000 in scholarships to IAM members and their families.

 

This Year’s Topic

“Is artificial intelligence a threat to unions and job security?”

Artificial intelligence is changing the way we work, but what does it mean for the future of unions? This year’s essay contest asks participants to explore AI’s impact on job security and the labor movement.

 

Who Can Apply?

  • IAM District 141 Members with at least one year of good standing (as of June 1, 2024) who are currently enrolled in college or trade school (at least six units per semester).

  • Children, spouses, and dependent grandchildren of eligible IAM District 141 members who are graduating high school seniors or currently enrolled full-time in college or trade school.

     

Scholarship Awards

  • One Grand Prize Winner – $2,000

  • Six Additional Winners – $1,000 each

Key Dates

  • Contest Opens: March 1, 2025

  • Submission Deadline: Midnight, July 15, 2025

  • Winners Announced: On or around August 1, 2025

     

How to Apply

  1. Write a 700-1,000 word essay on this year’s topic.

  2. Submit the essay as a Microsoft Word document.

  3. Include a recent photograph of yourself.

  4. Email your entry to dan@bleicomm.com by midnight, July 15, 2025.

     

For full contest details, official rules, and the entry form, click here.

Good Luck!

United Ground Express Negotiations Update

United Ground Express Negotiations Update

United Ground Express (UGE) Contract Negotiations Update

21 January 2025

 Dear Sisters and Brothers at United Ground Express,

Over the last several months, your IAM District 141 negotiating team has been diligently reviewing your surveys and proposals in preparation for our first contract negotiations with United Ground Express, Inc (UGE) since our initial collective bargaining agreement eight years ago.

Last week, we met with UGE management in Chicago, Illinois, and began these important contract negotiations. During our first session, we addressed several topics of high importance to our members based on your feedback. These included Classifications and Vacancies, Hours of Service, and Paid Time Off.

We were able to successfully advocate for a fairer system for filling vacancies, ensuring that seniority plays a more significant role in the decision-making process. This was a major concern expressed by many of you in the survey.

Additionally, we gave the company proposals to convert Paid Time Off to vacation and paid sick time. We also submitted proposals about shift bidding, both of which are areas of significant interest to our members. We’re awaiting the Company’s response to those proposals.

We will continue to work hard to represent your interests and achieve a fair contract. Most importantly, every member of UGE should understand that no tentative agreement we come to with the Company will go into effect until you, the members, have your voices heard and vote on whether to accept or refuse any such tentative agreement.

Negotiations will resume in Houston over the week of February 24.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

IAM District 141 Negotiating Committee
Warren Glenn
Robert Jesel
Chris Lusk
John Staton, Jr.
Gary Welch

Michael G Klemm
President and Directing General Chair,
District 141,
International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers

Recording Secretaries: Please print and post on all UGE bulletin Boards.

United Negotiations Update

United Contract Negotiation (14 January 2025)

United Contract Negotiations Update

14 January 2025

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Your IAM District 141 negotiating team met with United Airlines management last week in Houston, Texas to continue discussions on seven collective bargaining agreements. This session focused on the Passenger Service and Fleet contracts.

The team focused on Article 4, addressing important topics for our members, including:

  • Shift bidding
  • Part-time meal periods
  • Enhancing flexibility in trade language to better align with industry standards

While a Tentative Agreement was not reached on these issues, the conversations on these very important topics were positive and productive.

Negotiations will continue the week of February 24, 2025, and will include the Fleet Technical Instructor sub-committee.

IAM Workers Lead the Way.

In Solidarity,

Your Negotiating Committee
Olu Ajetomobi
Joe Bartz
Jill Hazamy
Victor Hernandez
Barb Martin
Terry Stansbury
Faysal Silwany
Erik Stenberg
Sue Weisner

Michael G Klemm
President and Directing General Chair,
District 141,
International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers

Recording Secretaries: Please print and post on all IAMAW bulletin Boards.