FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, D.C., September 26, 2013 – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) today announced it has reached three tentative agreements with United Airlines covering over 28,000 workers from the Fleet Service, Public Contact and Storekeeper classifications.
The tentative agreements preserve and improve pensions, stabilize healthcare costs and expand job security provisions while providing immediate and retroactive wage increases for all IAM members at the new United Airlines, which includes former employees of Continental Airlines and Continental Micronesia.
A summary of tentative agreement highlights is available at www.iam141.org.
The IAM negotiating committee unanimously recommends ratification of the four -year agreements. All ratification voting is expected to be completed by November 1, 2013.
“These proposed contracts address the needs of the IAM membership at United Airlines,” said IAM District 141 President Rich Delaney. “It places IAM-represented workers at the top of the industry in the areas that membership said were most important; wages, job security, pension benefits and health insurance.”
If ratified, the accords would run through January 1, 2017 with a built in wage increase on January 15, 2018 if no new contracts have been agreed to by that date.
“I thank the IAM membership at United Airlines for their patience and solidarity during this long and difficult process,” said IAM General Vice President Sito Pantoja. “I would also like to extend a special thank you to the negotiating committee members who have done a fine job in very complex negotiations.”
The IAM represents approximately 30,000 workers at United Airlines and is the largest union at the carrier. IAM-represented Maintenance Instructors, Fleet Technical Instructors and Related Employees, Food Service Employees and Security Officers are still in negotiations with United. More information about the IAM at United Airlines is available at www.iam141.org.
