Important Letter from the United Labor Coalition

Important Letter from the United Labor Coalition

IAM141.org

Nathan Lopp

Vice President, Labor Relations

United | Corporate Support Center | 233 S. Wacker Drive WHQLR 25th Floor | Chicago, IL  60606

Dear Mr. Lopp,

Just over one year ago, the United Airlines Labor Coalition raised its concern over United’s codeshare agreement with Emirates Airlines, based partly on accounts of unfair labor practices and employee intimidation in the United Arab Emirates.  Today, we raise our concern over employee treatment much closer to home.

Labor relations at United Airlines have deteriorated to the point that lacking labor standards halfway around the world now seem suited to describe the current situation at our own airline.  At the forefront is a draconian and one-sided approach to employee investigations and discipline.  Human Resources is now involved in the smallest and simplest infractions, resulting in consequences orders of magnitude worse than the deed.  Most grievance cases are denied and sent up to the next level with little discretion given to local managers who best know their workforce and issues.

United Airlines filed a supplement to its application for a Haneda slot, which was surrendered by Delta Airlines.  In this long and detailed document, United outlines the reasons it should be awarded authority to fly to Haneda from Houston.  The Labor Coalition finds it instructive that nowhere in this exhaustive brief is mention of a single benefit to United’s labor force, should United be awarded this coveted slot.  In fact, the point is made that IAH-Haneda flights would not be additive, but rather a replacement for existing IAH-Narita service.

Recently, the leaders of United’s unionized employees were asked to submit letters to the Department of Transportation in support of United Airlines’ application for Houston-Haneda authorization.  Such collaboration stems from relationships centered on mutual respect and fair treatment.  Sadly, we believe the current labor/management relationship falls far short of this standard.  For the sake of the employees we represent, we sincerely hope for an improved climate, where cooperation and collaboration can exist and thrive.  Such a climate does not exist today, and as a result, the United Airlines Union Coalition agrees it is inappropriate to support United’s application for Houston-Haneda service.

Respectfully,

Ken Diaz

Mike Klemm

Garth Thompson

Craig Symons

Joe Ferreira

MEC President

President

Master Chair

President

Dir. Airline Div.

AFA-UAL

IAM-UAL

ALPA-UAL

PAFCA-UAL

IBT-UAL

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Important Letter from the United Labor Coalition

17 November 2023

Nathan Lopp

Vice President, Labor Relations

United | Corporate Support Center | 233 S. Wacker Drive WHQLR 25th Floor | Chicago, IL  60606

Dear Mr. Lopp,

Just over one year ago, the United Airlines Labor Coalition raised its concern over United’s codeshare agreement with Emirates Airlines, based partly on accounts of unfair labor practices and employee intimidation in the United Arab Emirates.  Today, we raise our concern over employee treatment much closer to home.

Labor relations at United Airlines have deteriorated to the point that lacking labor standards halfway around the world now seem suited to describe the current situation at our own airline.  At the forefront is a draconian and one-sided approach to employee investigations and discipline.  Human Resources is now involved in the smallest and simplest infractions, resulting in consequences orders of magnitude worse than the deed.  Most grievance cases are denied and sent up to the next level with little discretion given to local managers who best know their workforce and issues.

United Airlines filed a supplement to its application for a Haneda slot, which was surrendered by Delta Airlines.  In this long and detailed document, United outlines the reasons it should be awarded authority to fly to Haneda from Houston.  The Labor Coalition finds it instructive that nowhere in this exhaustive brief is mention of a single benefit to United’s labor force, should United be awarded this coveted slot.  In fact, the point is made that IAH-Haneda flights would not be additive, but rather a replacement for existing IAH-Narita service.

Recently, the leaders of United’s unionized employees were asked to submit letters to the Department of Transportation in support of United Airlines’ application for Houston-Haneda authorization.  Such collaboration stems from relationships centered on mutual respect and fair treatment.  Sadly, we believe the current labor/management relationship falls far short of this standard.  For the sake of the employees we represent, we sincerely hope for an improved climate, where cooperation and collaboration can exist and thrive.  Such a climate does not exist today, and as a result, the United Airlines Union Coalition agrees it is inappropriate to support United’s application for Houston-Haneda service.

Respectfully,

Ken Diaz

Mike Klemm

Garth Thompson

Craig Symons

Joe Ferreira

MEC President

President

Master Chair

President

Dir. Airline Div.

AFA-UAL

IAM-UAL

ALPA-UAL

PAFCA-UAL

IBT-UAL

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Record summer airline profits are proof that workers are assets that should be invested in, not liabilities that should be limited. Summer 2022 Airline Profits: Union MadeOrganizing31 October 2022Unions create a workplace where workers take their jobs seriously,...

A Halloween Story About Dues at JetBlue

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Supervisors at JetBlue think Crewmembers should be scared of dues, but it's abusive supervisors who have the most to fear from a well-funded, unified workplace.  A Halloween Story About Dues at JetBlueOrganizing31 October 2022Anti-Union managers at JetBlue seem to...

JetBlue Union Vote Update: No Back Dues

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JetBlue Union Vote Update: No Back DuesOrganizing27 October 2022Dear GO Crewmembers: Sadly and unfortunately, it has come to our attention that JetBlue management and their agents are lying about the union dues issue once again. Let me be as clear as possible: There...

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