Machinist Union Members at United Begin Preparations for New Contract Talks

Machinist Union Members at United Begin Preparations for New Contract Talks

Machinist Union Members at United Begin Preparations for New Contract Talks

Machinist Union Members at United Begin Preparations for New Contract Talks

IAM141.org

Union members at United Airlines, including nearly 29,000 workers over seven different workgroups, are preparing to start contract negotiations as soon as this summer, according to an announcement made on Friday by the Union’s District President, Mike Klemm.

According to Klemm, the seven agreements between the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and United Airlines will become eligible for updates on May 1. Thanks to an early start provision in the 2023 agreements, this will be the second round of contract talks between the union and the carrier in as many years.

In 2023, the Machinists Union negotiated industry-leading wages and job protections, with thousands of union members earning more than $37 an hour. They also extended critical job protections for hundreds of employees at airports where United had a smaller footprint, who might have otherwise faced the possibility of being outsourced. The 2023 agreements also insourced several stations, including Miami and Colorado Springs.

In 2023, the Airline committed to “Expedited Negotations,” which would have focused on only the top concerns of union members. The hope was that the talks would bring meaningful job improvements to covered workers quickly, within a few months. However, the Airline proved unable to fulfill that commitment, and talks stalled.

Under the Railway Labor Act, the governing body that oversees labor relations in transportation industries, including airlines, the failure of United to quickly seal a deal with the union meant that the two parties would enter into “Section 6” negotiations instead. Section 6 Negotiations, named after Section 6 of the Railway Labor Act, will require the parties to litigate every aspect of the collective bargaining agreements and are likely to take as long as a year or more to negotiate.

President Klemm warned that the track record of United Airlines’ inability to swiftly cement collective Bargaining Agreements might result in delays in the new round of negotiations.

“It’s essential to recognize the changing dynamics at United Airlines,” he said in a written statement to union members. “This is not the same airline as it was from 2015 through 2020.”

“Our goal remains to secure an industry-leading contract for our membership by the end of this year. Nevertheless, we’re prepared for all possibilities, including the chance that negotiations may be unnecessarily delayed due to United’s strategic use of the laws that govern labor relations in the airline industry,” he continued.

Before the negotiations begin, Klemm said that union negotiators will canvas front-line union members for input.

“The feedback we get from these surveys will be vital to your Negotiating Committee as we prepare to begin talks with United Airlines,” he said, adding that high levels of participation will strengthen the union’s hand at the bargaining table.

“By participating, you’re not just sharing your views; you’re actively contributing to the strength and direction of our negotiations,” Klemm said.

 

Related News

February Helping Hands: Financial Health

February Helping Hands: Financial Health

EAP Peers:        February is often a month that people are struggling with finances after the holidays. We focus on a government agency that has some terrific resources - the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau. This agency has a myriad of resources to help with any...

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!District Lodge 141 is excited to announce the commencement of its 2024 Adolph Stutz Memorial Scholarship Essay Contest!$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!IAM141.org 6 February 2024District Lodge 141 is excited to announce...

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023WASHINGTON DC - According to the February report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, union membership in 2023 held steady and did not decline despite employers spending over $400 million to oppose unification...

Stay up to date with all the latest news and information from the District 141 of the Machinists Union

Machinist Union Members at United Begin Preparations for New Contract Talks

15 March 2024

Union members at United Airlines, including nearly 29,000 workers over seven different workgroups, are preparing to start contract negotiations as soon as this summer, according to an announcement made on Friday by the Union’s District President, Mike Klemm.

According to Klemm, the seven agreements between the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and United Airlines will become eligible for updates on May 1. Thanks to an early start provision in the 2023 agreements, this will be the second round of contract talks between the union and the carrier in as many years.

In 2023, the Machinists Union negotiated industry-leading wages and job protections, with thousands of union members earning more than $37 an hour. They also extended critical job protections for hundreds of employees at airports where United had a smaller footprint, who might have otherwise faced the possibility of being outsourced. The 2023 agreements also insourced several stations, including Miami and Colorado Springs.

In 2023, the Airline committed to “Expedited Negotations,” which would have focused on only the top concerns of union members. The hope was that the talks would bring meaningful job improvements to covered workers quickly, within a few months. However, the Airline proved unable to fulfill that commitment, and talks stalled.

Under the Railway Labor Act, the governing body that oversees labor relations in transportation industries, including airlines, the failure of United to quickly seal a deal with the union meant that the two parties would enter into “Section 6” negotiations instead. Section 6 Negotiations, named after Section 6 of the Railway Labor Act, will require the parties to litigate every aspect of the collective bargaining agreements and are likely to take as long as a year or more to negotiate.

President Klemm warned that the track record of United Airlines’ inability to swiftly cement collective Bargaining Agreements might result in delays in the new round of negotiations.

“It’s essential to recognize the changing dynamics at United Airlines,” he said in a written statement to union members. “This is not the same airline as it was from 2015 through 2020.”

“Our goal remains to secure an industry-leading contract for our membership by the end of this year. Nevertheless, we’re prepared for all possibilities, including the chance that negotiations may be unnecessarily delayed due to United’s strategic use of the laws that govern labor relations in the airline industry,” he continued.

Before the negotiations begin, Klemm said that union negotiators will canvas front-line union members for input.

“The feedback we get from these surveys will be vital to your Negotiating Committee as we prepare to begin talks with United Airlines,” he said, adding that high levels of participation will strengthen the union’s hand at the bargaining table.

“By participating, you’re not just sharing your views; you’re actively contributing to the strength and direction of our negotiations,” Klemm said.

 

Related

February Helping Hands: Financial Health

February Helping Hands: Financial Health

EAP Peers:        February is often a month that people are struggling with finances after the holidays. We focus on a government agency that has some terrific resources - the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau. This agency has a myriad of resources to help with any...

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!District Lodge 141 is excited to announce the commencement of its 2024 Adolph Stutz Memorial Scholarship Essay Contest!$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!IAM141.org 6 February 2024District Lodge 141 is excited to announce...

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023WASHINGTON DC - According to the February report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, union membership in 2023 held steady and did not decline despite employers spending over $400 million to oppose unification...

Machinists Union Stands in Solidarity with Flight Attendants in Nationwide Day of Action

Machinists Union Stands in Solidarity with Flight Attendants in Nationwide Day of Action

Machinists Union Stands in Solidarity with Flight Attendants in Nationwide Day of Action

Pictured: Assistant General Chairs Erik Stenberg (left) and Mike Cyscon.

Machinists Union Stands in Solidarity with Flight Attendants in Nationwide Day of Action

IAM141.org

In a display of solidarity, members of the Machinists Union joined flight attendants in nationwide rallies held at over 30 major airports across the United States on Tuesday. The collective action, organized as part of the Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action, aimed to bring attention to the ongoing labor negotiations affecting over two-thirds of flight attendants at several major airlines.

Flight attendants from United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Air Wisconsin, American Airlines, Omni, and Frontier, represented by three different labor unions, took to the picket lines in cities including New York City, Orlando, Miami, San Francisco, Charlotte, Washington DC, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, Cleveland, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and more.

The protests underscored the pressing issues at hand as flight attendants push for fair and just contracts amidst negotiations with their respective airlines. In total, the unions participating in the day of action represent more than 100,000 flight attendants at all major airlines in the United States.

“Our time is now!” declared AFA Alaska President Jeffrey Peterson. “Alaska Flight Attendants today backed up our fight for an industry-leading contract with a 99.48% strike vote. And we’re out on the picket line demonstrating that we’re ready to do whatever it takes to get the contract we deserve. There’s no excuse: Alaska management has the money to buy another airline, they certainly have the money to invest in Flight Attendants. We have a simple message for management: Pay us, or CHAOS!”

Flight attendants at Alaska Airlines, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strike authorization should management fail to agree to significant improvements. The last time Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants went on strike was in 1993, when Flight Attendants took over the schedule using AFA’s trademarked strike strategy, Creating Havoc Around Our System™ or CHAOS™.

“Alaska Flight Attendants are fired up and ready to go,” emphasized AFA International President Sara Nelson. “You can’t fly without Flight Attendants. If Alaska management doesn’t remember what happens when you disrespect Flight Attendants, we are ready to show them. It’s past time for a fair deal.”

“We are not a line item on a balance sheet,” stated Melinda Beal, president of the AFA Cleveland chapter, as reported by Axios. She highlighted the challenges faced by flight attendants, including longer hours with little rest between shifts, eroding wages due to inflation, and airlines reaping billions in profits. Beal emphasized the demand for raises and the challenge to the pay structure.

The demonstrations are not strikes, though that’s the next step. The industry norm is that attendants don’t get paid until the plane doors close. Union members are calling for full pay for their work during boarding or deplaning and for time on the ground between back-to-back flights. In 2022, Delta Air Lines became the first U.S. airline to pay flight attendants during boarding, but at only half their standard rate.

 

 

Related News

February Helping Hands: Financial Health

February Helping Hands: Financial Health

EAP Peers:        February is often a month that people are struggling with finances after the holidays. We focus on a government agency that has some terrific resources - the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau. This agency has a myriad of resources to help with any...

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!District Lodge 141 is excited to announce the commencement of its 2024 Adolph Stutz Memorial Scholarship Essay Contest!$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!IAM141.org 6 February 2024District Lodge 141 is excited to announce...

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023WASHINGTON DC - According to the February report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, union membership in 2023 held steady and did not decline despite employers spending over $400 million to oppose unification...

Stay up to date with all the latest news and information from the District 141 of the Machinists Union

Machinists Union Stands in Solidarity with Flight Attendants in Nationwide Day of Action

February 14 2024

Pictured: Assistant General Chairs Erik Stenberg (left) and Mike Cyscon.

In a display of solidarity, members of the Machinists Union joined flight attendants in nationwide rallies held at over 30 major airports across the United States on Tuesday. The collective action, organized as part of the Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action, aimed to bring attention to the ongoing labor negotiations affecting over two-thirds of flight attendants at several major airlines.

Flight attendants from United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Air Wisconsin, American Airlines, Omni, and Frontier, represented by three different labor unions, took to the picket lines in cities including New York City, Orlando, Miami, San Francisco, Charlotte, Washington DC, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, Cleveland, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and more.

The protests underscored the pressing issues at hand as flight attendants push for fair and just contracts amidst negotiations with their respective airlines. In total, the unions participating in the day of action represent more than 100,000 flight attendants at all major airlines in the United States.

“Our time is now!” declared AFA Alaska President Jeffrey Peterson. “Alaska Flight Attendants today backed up our fight for an industry-leading contract with a 99.48% strike vote. And we’re out on the picket line demonstrating that we’re ready to do whatever it takes to get the contract we deserve. There’s no excuse: Alaska management has the money to buy another airline, they certainly have the money to invest in Flight Attendants. We have a simple message for management: Pay us, or CHAOS!”

Flight attendants at Alaska Airlines, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strike authorization should management fail to agree to significant improvements. The last time Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants went on strike was in 1993, when Flight Attendants took over the schedule using AFA’s trademarked strike strategy, Creating Havoc Around Our System™ or CHAOS™.

“Alaska Flight Attendants are fired up and ready to go,” emphasized AFA International President Sara Nelson. “You can’t fly without Flight Attendants. If Alaska management doesn’t remember what happens when you disrespect Flight Attendants, we are ready to show them. It’s past time for a fair deal.”

“We are not a line item on a balance sheet,” stated Melinda Beal, president of the AFA Cleveland chapter, as reported by Axios. She highlighted the challenges faced by flight attendants, including longer hours with little rest between shifts, eroding wages due to inflation, and airlines reaping billions in profits. Beal emphasized the demand for raises and the challenge to the pay structure.

The demonstrations are not strikes, though that’s the next step. The industry norm is that attendants don’t get paid until the plane doors close. Union members are calling for full pay for their work during boarding or deplaning and for time on the ground between back-to-back flights. In 2022, Delta Air Lines became the first U.S. airline to pay flight attendants during boarding, but at only half their standard rate.

Related

February Helping Hands: Financial Health

February Helping Hands: Financial Health

EAP Peers:        February is often a month that people are struggling with finances after the holidays. We focus on a government agency that has some terrific resources - the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau. This agency has a myriad of resources to help with any...

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!District Lodge 141 is excited to announce the commencement of its 2024 Adolph Stutz Memorial Scholarship Essay Contest!$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!IAM141.org 6 February 2024District Lodge 141 is excited to announce...

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023WASHINGTON DC - According to the February report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, union membership in 2023 held steady and did not decline despite employers spending over $400 million to oppose unification...

February Helping Hands: Financial Health

February Helping Hands: Financial Health

February Helping Hands: Financial Health

EAP Peers:
 
     February is often a month that people are struggling with finances after the holidays. We focus on a government agency that has some terrific resources – the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau. This agency has a myriad of resources to help with any consumer financial issue. There are links throughout the two pages that can connect people with help for most any financial issue. The electronic version allows folks to connect with whatever resource they feel will help their concern. Please make the electronic version available to your co-workers as you can
 
     Thank you for being there for others – this is important work and not many people are as dedicated to others as you have been – I appreciate everything you are doing!
 
Bryan,

Bryan Hutchinson, M.S.

Recent Articles

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!

IAM141.org

District Lodge 141 is excited to announce the commencement of its 2024 Adolph Stutz Memorial Scholarship Essay Contest!

The essay competition is designed to encourage a better understanding and appreciation of the role of unions in America and foster a sense of community among our members and their families. By reflecting on the history and principles of unions, participants have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of this important institution and its impact on society. Through their personal experiences and reflections, they can inspire others to recognize the value of collective action and the power of working together towards a common goal. 

This year’s theme asks participants to contemplate “Reviving the American Dream: What Can I Do to Help My Generation Overcome Despair and Build a Better Future?” This competition is open to the children, spouses, and dependent grandchildren of members with one year or more of good standing in District Lodge 141 of the Machinists Union as of June 1, 2023. This includes graduating high school seniors and those who are currently enrolled full-time in college or trade school. The Grand Prize winner will receive a $2,000 award, and six additional winners will each receive a check for $1,000. 

Participants are asked to email their entries to dan@bleicomm.com by midnight on July 15, 2024.

CLICK HERE for the official rules and entry form.

 

Related News

February Helping Hands: Financial Health

February Helping Hands: Financial Health

EAP Peers:        February is often a month that people are struggling with finances after the holidays. We focus on a government agency that has some terrific resources - the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau. This agency has a myriad of resources to help with any...

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!District Lodge 141 is excited to announce the commencement of its 2024 Adolph Stutz Memorial Scholarship Essay Contest!$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!IAM141.org 6 February 2024District Lodge 141 is excited to announce...

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023WASHINGTON DC - According to the February report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, union membership in 2023 held steady and did not decline despite employers spending over $400 million to oppose unification...

Stay up to date with all the latest news and information from the District 141 of the Machinists Union

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!

6 February 2024

District Lodge 141 is excited to announce the commencement of its 2024 Adolph Stutz Memorial Scholarship Essay Contest!

The essay competition is designed to encourage a better understanding and appreciation of the role of unions in America and foster a sense of community among our members and their families. By reflecting on the history and principles of unions, participants have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of this important institution and its impact on society. Through their personal experiences and reflections, they can inspire others to recognize the value of collective action and the power of working together towards a common goal. 

This year’s theme asks participants to contemplate “Reviving the American Dream: What Can I Do to Help My Generation Overcome Despair and Build a Better Future?” This competition is open to the children, spouses, and dependent grandchildren of members with one year or more of good standing in District Lodge 141 of the Machinists Union as of June 1, 2023. This includes graduating high school seniors and those who are currently enrolled full-time in college or trade school. The Grand Prize winner will receive a $2,000 award, and six additional winners will each receive a check for $1,000. 

Participants are asked to email their entries to dan@bleicomm.com by midnight on July 15, 2024.

CLICK HERE for the official rules and entry form.

 

Related

February Helping Hands: Financial Health

February Helping Hands: Financial Health

EAP Peers:        February is often a month that people are struggling with finances after the holidays. We focus on a government agency that has some terrific resources - the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau. This agency has a myriad of resources to help with any...

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!District Lodge 141 is excited to announce the commencement of its 2024 Adolph Stutz Memorial Scholarship Essay Contest!$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!IAM141.org 6 February 2024District Lodge 141 is excited to announce...

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023WASHINGTON DC - According to the February report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, union membership in 2023 held steady and did not decline despite employers spending over $400 million to oppose unification...

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023

IAM141.org

WASHINGTON DC – According to the February report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, union membership in 2023 held steady and did not decline despite employers spending over $400 million to oppose unification efforts in their workplaces. According to the report, 16.2 million American workers were represented by a union, a gain of 200,000 over 2022.

Union wages continued to lead the average typical weekly earnings of non-union Americans in 2023. Among full-time wage and salary workers, union members had a median usual weekly earnings of $1,263 in 2023, while non-union workers continued to fall behind, with a median usual weekly earnings of only $1,090.

This represents wages that are 14 percent higher than their non-union counterparts each week, translating to an additional $173 per week, $692 per month, and $8,996 per year. This figure is up from 2022, when union pay was 11.2% higher than non-union work.

While earnings remain a central focus for most workers, the issue of work-life balance is a hot topic within the American workforce. Interestingly, union members, particularly in commercial aviation, enjoy an enviable degree of control over their schedules. They can trade away or pick up work shifts from coworkers and seasonal bids to work the hours, work areas, and days off in order of years on the job that are unheard of outside of unions. This level of schedule flexibility is nearly unheard of outside union workplaces.

Retirement benefits are another area where union membership pays off. In private industry, 93 percent of union workers had access to a retirement plan, compared to only 67 percent of non-union workers. Union workers were five times more likely to have access to defined benefit retirement plans, which guarantee a predictable income during retirement.

Healthcare benefits are nearly universal among union workers, with 96 percent having access compared to 69 percent of non-union workers. Employers were responsible for 80 percent of the premiums for medical care and family coverage for union workers, compared to 65 percent for non-union workers.

To combat these advances, companies have spent more than $400 million to prevent their employees from forming unions. According to data compiled by the Economic Policy Institute, attacks on union organizing have cost companies more than $400 million a year.

The study, released in March 2023, estimates that employers spend $433 million per year on “union-avoidance” consultants. According to the study, these consultants are paid $350 an hour and up, or $2,500 daily rates, to prevent their workers from banding together as a union. The actual figures are likely much higher since employers are only required to disclose a fraction of their union avoidance costs.

A portion of this spending is recouped through tax laws; businesses can deduct union avoidance costs from their tax liabilities.

These efforts have kept union membership as low as possible for these companies despite historically high support for unions. Around 67% or two-thirds of Americans support unions, as per a Gallup poll released in September. Yet, due to the overwhelming spending companies are using to prevent the formation of unions, only about 11.2% of Americans report union membership.

About 16.2 million American workers are represented by labor unions, a figure that includes 14.4 union members and 1.8 million workers who refuse to support a union but whose jobs are covered by a union agreement.

Related News

February Helping Hands: Financial Health

February Helping Hands: Financial Health

EAP Peers:        February is often a month that people are struggling with finances after the holidays. We focus on a government agency that has some terrific resources - the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau. This agency has a myriad of resources to help with any...

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!District Lodge 141 is excited to announce the commencement of its 2024 Adolph Stutz Memorial Scholarship Essay Contest!$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!IAM141.org 6 February 2024District Lodge 141 is excited to announce...

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023WASHINGTON DC - According to the February report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, union membership in 2023 held steady and did not decline despite employers spending over $400 million to oppose unification...

Stay up to date with all the latest news and information from the District 141 of the Machinists Union

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023

6 February 2024

WASHINGTON DC – According to the February report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, union membership in 2023 held steady and did not decline despite employers spending over $400 million to oppose unification efforts in their workplaces. According to the report, 16.2 million American workers were represented by a union, a gain of 200,000 over 2022.

Union wages continued to lead the average, typical weekly earnings of non-union Americans in 2023. Among full-time wage and salary workers, union members had a median usual weekly earnings of $1,263 in 2023, while non-union workers continued to fall behind, with a median usual weekly earnings of only $1,090.

This represents wages that are 14 percent higher than their non-union counterparts each week, translating to an additional $173 per week, $692 per month, and $8,996 per year.

While earnings remain a central focus for most workers, the issue of work-life balance is a hot topic within the American workforce. Interestingly, union members, particularly in commercial aviation, enjoy an enviable degree of control over their schedules. They can trade away or pick up work shifts from coworkers and seasonal bids to work the hours, work areas, and days off in order of years on the job that are unheard of outside of unions. This level of schedule flexibility is nearly unheard of outside union workplaces.

Retirement benefits are another area where union membership pays off. In private industry, 93 percent of union workers had access to a retirement plan, compared to only 67 percent of non-union workers. Union workers were five times more likely to have access to defined benefit retirement plans, which guarantee a predictable income during retirement.

Healthcare benefits are nearly universal among union workers, with 96 percent having access compared to 69 percent of non-union workers. Employers were responsible for 80 percent of the premiums for medical care and family coverage for union workers, compared to 65 percent for non-union workers.

To combat these advances, companies have spent more than $400 million to prevent their employees from forming unions. According to data compiled by the Economic Policy Institute, attacks on union organizing have cost companies more than $400 million a year.

The study, released in March 2023, estimates that employers spend $433 million per year on “union-avoidance” consultants. According to the study, these consultants are paid $350 an hour and up, or $2,500 daily rates, to prevent their workers from banding together as a union. The actual figures are likely much higher since employers are only required to disclose a fraction of their union avoidance costs.

A portion of this spending is recouped through tax laws; businesses can deduct union avoidance costs from their tax liabilities.

These efforts have kept union membership as low as possible for these companies despite historically high support for unions. Around 67% or two-thirds of Americans support unions, as per a Gallup poll released in September. Yet, due to the overwhelming spending companies are using to prevent the formation of unions, only about 11.2% of Americans report union membership.

About 16.2 million American workers are represented by labor unions, a figure that includes 14.4 union members and 1.8 million workers who refuse to support a union but whose jobs are covered by a union agreement.

Related

February Helping Hands: Financial Health

February Helping Hands: Financial Health

EAP Peers:        February is often a month that people are struggling with finances after the holidays. We focus on a government agency that has some terrific resources - the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau. This agency has a myriad of resources to help with any...

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!District Lodge 141 is excited to announce the commencement of its 2024 Adolph Stutz Memorial Scholarship Essay Contest!$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!IAM141.org 6 February 2024District Lodge 141 is excited to announce...

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023WASHINGTON DC - According to the February report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, union membership in 2023 held steady and did not decline despite employers spending over $400 million to oppose unification...

United Invests $32 Million into IAH Stores Expansion

United Invests $32 Million into IAH Stores Expansion

$32 Million into IAH Stores Expansion

United Invests $32 Million into IAH Stores Expansion

IAM141.org

HOUSTON / IAH: United Airlines is planning to expand its Stores operation in Houston, which, when completed, will be the largest Stores facility at the airline. The deal was approved at a City Council meeting on January 11.

Herve Lavenant, United’s Managing Director for Logistic Services, said that the new distribution center is integral to the airline’s growth strategy. The deal includes a commitment of $32.6 million for property upgrades, $5.4 million for enhancements in personal property, and the creation of job opportunities in the surrounding area.

The plan would see United acquire a massive 500,000-square-foot, 41-acre facility that will handle warehousing and stores operations at Bush Intercontinental Airport and 100 new flights systemwide. According to Stores Committeeman Satchel Thorpe, the airline currently employs about 300 Storekeepers at IAH. The expansion will require an additional 150 employees, bringing the total number of Storekeepers at IAH to 400.

This center, which United is calling a “Global Distribution Hub,” will play a critical role in managing inventory and providing resources for pilots and terminal operations globally.

United has said wages at the facility will average $64,000 a year, which amounts to roughly $30 an hour.

The move comes as the airline is announcing plans to add 40 new domestic flights at IAH, including the resumption of nonstop service between Houston and Ontario and a new service to Fairbanks, Alaska. In total, United is planning to add more than 100 new flights to destinations in the United States and Canada. The Canadian routes will include cities like Calgary, Vancouver, and Halifax. The new routes will be added to various stations across the United network. Over the summer, United expects to have more US-Canada routes than any other US-based carrier.

In a press release, United Senior Vice President Patrick Quayle said that the idea was to streamline the travel process in a way that would allow passengers to stay on United flights and not make multiple connections with airline partners like Air Canada. Service to locations such as Tampa. Miami, Boston, and Charleston are also planned. United’s presence in the Canadian market has grown by 70% since Air Canada’s partnership expanded in 2022.

Related News

February Helping Hands: Financial Health

February Helping Hands: Financial Health

EAP Peers:        February is often a month that people are struggling with finances after the holidays. We focus on a government agency that has some terrific resources - the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau. This agency has a myriad of resources to help with any...

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!District Lodge 141 is excited to announce the commencement of its 2024 Adolph Stutz Memorial Scholarship Essay Contest!$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!IAM141.org 6 February 2024District Lodge 141 is excited to announce...

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023WASHINGTON DC - According to the February report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, union membership in 2023 held steady and did not decline despite employers spending over $400 million to oppose unification...

Stay up to date with all the latest news and information from the District 141 of the Machinists Union

United Invests $32 Million into IAH Stores Expansion

30 January 2024

HOUSTON / IAH: United Airlines is planning to expand its Stores operation in Houston, which, when completed, will be the largest Stores facility at the airline. The deal was approved at a City Council meeting on January 11.

Herve Lavenant, United’s Managing Director for Logistic Services, said that the new distribution center is integral to the airline’s growth strategy. The deal includes a commitment of $32.6 million for property upgrades, $5.4 million for enhancements in personal property, and the creation of job opportunities in the surrounding area.

The plan would see United acquire a massive 500,000-square-foot, 41-acre facility that will handle warehousing and stores operations at Bush Intercontinental Airport and 100 new flights systemwide. According to Stores Committeeman Satchel Thorpe, the airline currently employs about 300 Storekeepers at IAH. The expansion will require an additional 150 employees, bringing the total number of Storekeepers at IAH to 400.

This center, which United is calling a “Global Distribution Hub,” will play a critical role in managing inventory and providing resources for pilots and terminal operations globally.

United has said wages at the facility will average $64,000 a year, which amounts to roughly $30 an hour.

The move comes as the airline is announcing plans to add 40 new domestic flights at IAH, including the resumption of nonstop service between Houston and Ontario and a new service to Fairbanks, Alaska. In total, United is planning to add more than 100 new flights to destinations in the United States and Canada. The Canadian routes will include cities like Calgary, Vancouver, and Halifax. The new routes will be added to various stations across the United network. Over the summer, United expects to have more US-Canada routes than any other US-based carrier.

In a press release, United Senior Vice President Patrick Quayle said that the idea was to streamline the travel process in a way that would allow passengers to stay on United flights and not make multiple connections with airline partners like Air Canada. Service to locations such as Tampa. Miami, Boston, and Charleston are also planned. United’s presence in the Canadian market has grown by 70% since Air Canada’s partnership expanded in 2022.

Related

February Helping Hands: Financial Health

February Helping Hands: Financial Health

EAP Peers:        February is often a month that people are struggling with finances after the holidays. We focus on a government agency that has some terrific resources - the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau. This agency has a myriad of resources to help with any...

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!

$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!District Lodge 141 is excited to announce the commencement of its 2024 Adolph Stutz Memorial Scholarship Essay Contest!$8,000 in Scholarships are Now Available!IAM141.org 6 February 2024District Lodge 141 is excited to announce...

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Union Pay Gap Expands in 2023WASHINGTON DC - According to the February report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, union membership in 2023 held steady and did not decline despite employers spending over $400 million to oppose unification...