Mechanics to vote on switching unions
By Chris Walsh, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published January 26, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
United Airlines mechanics, facing the possible sale of the carrier's maintenance division, will vote on whether to switch to the Teamsters, in a move their current union said may leave the workers without representation.
The National Mediation Board authorized the election Thursday, without giving a date, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters said Friday.
The union has said it would fight United parent UAL Corp.'s plans to sell the maintenance division.
The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, which represents about 5,500 active workers at United, said the election may leave the mechanics without a union, just as the carrier prepares to negotiate labor terms amid a potential sale.
If a majority of the eligible workers don't vote in an election, the mediation board counts that as a decision against union representation, said Steve McFarlane, AMFA's national director.
About 4,200 United mechanics are laid off, have the right to vote and may not participate in the balloting, he said.
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