United Ground Express (UGE) Negotiations Update

United Ground Express (UGE) Negotiations Update

Mar 7, 2025 | Featured, Featured News, Front Page, Perusals, Recent News, Row 2, United Ground Express

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.

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United Ground Express Negotiations Update

United Ground Express Negotiations Update

Jan 20, 2025 | Featured, Featured News, Front Page, Other News, Perusals, Recent News, Recent News, Row 2, United Ground Express

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.

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United Contract Negotiation (14 January 2025)

United Contract Negotiation (14 January 2025)

Jan 13, 2025 | Featured, Featured News, Front Page, Perusals, Recent News, Row 2, United

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.

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United Contract Negotiation (14 January 2025)

United Negotiations Update

Dec 18, 2024 | Front Page, Perusals, Recent News, Recent News, Row 2, United

United Contract Negotiations Update

18 December 2024

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Your IAM District 141 negotiating team met with United Airlines last week in Chicago, Illinois, to continue talks on seven different contracts covering our United Membership. The Storekeeper and Security Officer subcommittees were present to cover items specific to those two Collective Bargaining Agreements.

Here are the highlights of these talks.

Storekeeper Subcommittee: The Storekeeper Subcommittee reached tentative agreements (TAs) on Designated Station Trainers (DST) and probationary employees. We also discussed tooling and recovery trips, both domestic and international. However, these topics need more discussion.

Security Officers: To improve Security Officer compensation, we proposed premium pay for special qualifications. We are now waiting for the Company’s response.

Security Officer Article 1 Tentative Agreement: We reached a Tentative Agreement on Article 1 of the Security Officers Contract that includes updated language to reflect and respect the modern roles of Security Officers. Discussions about meal and break periods are ongoing.

Passenger Service and Fleet Service Agreements: Talks for the Passenger Service and Fleet Service agreements also continued throughout the week. This session focused on the key issues of shift bidding, preferencing, outage relief, part-time meal periods, and mandatory overtime. While no Tentative Agreements were reached, we believe the Company now better understands why the improvements we proposed matter to our members.

We will return to the bargaining table the week of January 6. The Storekeeper Subcommittee will also be present to resume work on their contract.

Remember: 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.

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United Contract Negotiation (14 January 2025)

United Negotiations Update

Nov 25, 2024 | Featured News, Front Page, Perusals, Recent News, Recent News, Row 2, United

United Contract Negotiations Update

26 November 2024

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Your IAM District 141 negotiating team and United Airlines management made significant progress in contract negotiations last week in Chicago, Illinois. We addressed seven separate contracts, including important discussions led by the Fleet Technical Instructors (FTI) subcommittee.

Here are the highlights of our recent efforts:

Fleet Technical Instructors (FTI) Agreement: Progress was made on Article One classification and vacancies, along with productive discussions about strengthening job security.

Fleet Service, Passenger Service, and Stores Agreements: We reached our most productive session to date, achieving a tentative agreement on temporary assignments—a key milestone in our negotiations.

Upcoming Sessions: Negotiations will resume the week of December 9th, with the addition of subcommittees representing Storekeeper and Security Officer contracts.

We are committed to ensuring that each step in these negotiations delivers meaningful improvements for our members. Your unwavering support remains crucial to our success, and we thank you for standing united with 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.

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Spirit Airlines Announces Plan to Restructure, Files Bankruptcy

Spirit Airlines Announces Plan to Restructure, Files Bankruptcy

Nov 19, 2024 | Featured, Featured News, Front Page, Perusals, Recent News, Recent News, Row 2, United

Spirit Airlines Announces Plan to Restructure, Files Bankruptcy

November 19, 2024

Sisters and Brothers,

Yesterday, Spirit Airlines announced that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as part of a comprehensive restructuring plan. While this news may cause concern among our members, I want to be clear: this development does not mean Spirit Airlines is ceasing operations or reducing wages for our front-line Union Members. Rather, it represents a strategic move to reorganize and address its financial challenges while maintaining business operations.

This filing begins a legal process that requires court approval to proceed with the proposed restructuring plan. As of now, there is no public information indicating that the bankruptcy court has approved Spirit’s filing. The airline has stated that it expects to continue normal operations during the proceedings and aims to emerge from bankruptcy sometime between January and March of 2025.

Spirit has made public assurances that Team Member wages and benefits will continue to be paid and honored.

Furthermore, existing labor contracts, including those between the Machinists Union and Spirit, remain intact unless otherwise modified by the bankruptcy court – a possibility we will monitor closely.

The Machinists Union has significant experience navigating airline bankruptcies. Although this situation is not new to us, we approach it with a steadfast commitment to ensuring fair treatment for all our members at Spirit Airlines. We trust that Spirit will honor its public pledge that this restructuring will not impact employee compensation and benefits.

We are prepared to stand by our members and provide the necessary support throughout this process. Rest assured, the Machinists Union will keep all Union Members informed and up to date with any developments related to Spirit’s bankruptcy proceedings.

Thank you for your continued trust and dedication. Together, we will navigate these challenging times with the strength and unity that define our Union.

The Press Release from Spirit Airlines can be found here, or at Spirit.com under the “Press Releases” tab.

In Solidarity,

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.
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