United's mechanics jump to Teamsters

By Chris Walsh, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Originally published 02:01 p.m., March 31, 2008
Updated 02:01 p.m., March 31, 2008

Mechanics at United Airlines voted overwhelmingly to leave the Aurora-based Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association in favor of the Teamsters union.

Some 4,113 United mechanics voted for the switch, compared with 2,631 who preferred to stay with the current union, according to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

The Teamsters now represent 9,300 active and furloughed mechanics at United, which is a unit of Chicago-based UAL Corp.

The switch comes as United attempts to sell its major maintenance division, a move the Teamsters have pledged to fight.

“United has cut more maintenance positions than any other U.S. airline,” James Hoffa, Teamsters general president, said in the e-mailed statement.

The Teamsters said United outsourced more work in 2006 than it was allowed to per a contract with mechanics. Outsourcing saves United money, but it also reduces the number of mechanics the company employs.

United disputes the claim, saying a previous audit found that it came in under the limits.

The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association said in a news release that it “will always support the right of workers to choose, and we wish our departing membership ... the best of luck with their new direction.

But the organization also said the Teamsters now will have to live up to their promises.

“The Teamsters have made many promises and guarantees of results due to their size, power and resources,” AMFA said in the release. “The campaign is over, and it is now time to see the Teamsters turn their promises into action.”