Important Letter from the United Labor Coalition

Important Letter from the United Labor Coalition
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 |
Related

Supreme Court Poised for New Attack on Unions
The Supreme Court may soon overturn a lower court ruling the held that Federal Regulators are better suited than tort courts to deal with company / union disputes. Supreme Court Poised for New Attack on UnionsIAM141.org5 October 2022On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court...

October Helping Hands: Mental Health Awareness Month
EAP Peer Coordinators: October is Mental Health awareness month - Helping Hands addresses what a mental health condition is, where you can get good information (heavy emphasis on good), what therapy is about and how to find a counselor. We cover a lot of ground...

Hurricane Ian: Emergency Toolkit
Hurricane Ian: Emergency ToolkitIAM141 EAP28 September 2022Florida's airports are being hammered with sustained winds of over 150 mph from Ian, which is on the cusp of becoming a Category 5 Hurricane. A hurricane of this magnitude passing over an area as...