UAL Union Coalition Demands Shared Rewards

Chicago, Ill., March 27, 2007—Angered that management has been enriching itself in the face of life-changing sacrifices made on the part of workers at United Airlines, the majority of United’s unionized employees have formed the “Union Coalition at United Airlines” to demand our fair share in the financial rewards that management currently enjoys. Because of the sacrifices and efforts of United’s employees, United Airlines avoided liquidation during its three-year bankruptcy.

The union leaders call on management to, among other issues, make immediate, tangible improvements to the compensation and success sharing program for all employees, address quality of work-life issues, and move up Contract bargaining dates.

“The employees of United Airlines are inexorably linked to the future and success of our airline,” said the Coalition in a statement signed by Greg Davidowich of the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA), Lou Lucivero of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), Jim Seitz of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), Craig Symons of the Professional Airline Flight Control Association (PAFCA) and Mark Bathurst of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).

“Throughout United’s bankruptcy, ‘shared sacrifice’ was the mantra employees heard frequently from upper management. But executives have failed to lead by example as employees have watched these same individuals collect millions of dollars worth of stock, pay raises and bonuses. On Monday, the full extent of upper management’s 2006 profit package was revealed in the Proxy Statement filed by United. Unionized employees are outraged. Management continues lining its pockets with millions of dollars while its employees still struggle under the same working agreements and wages implemented during United’s bankruptcy. Clearly, United management values the concept of ‘sharing’ as a public relations tactic to extract billions of dollars in concessions rather than a principle by which they should live and manage. United’s employees don’t subscribe to management’s philosophy that sharing ends at the sacrifice stage.”

Through concessions, nearly $5.5 billion was extracted from labor during United’s stay in bankruptcy.

“The dedication, sweat and sacrifice of all United employees have led United Airlines on the road toward sustained profitability,” the union leaders say. “Management already is reaping the rewards of United’s new found financial health. It is time the efforts of the airline’s most important stakeholders—the employees—are recognized and respected. Shared sacrifice should equal shared rewards.

“It is not unreasonable to demand our fair share in the financial rewards that management currently enjoys. Standing together and speaking with one voice, United Airlines’ unionized employees will work aggressively to force management to recognize our part in transforming our airline.”

Combined, the coalition’s five labor unions represent more than 30,000 United employees.