MINNEAPOLIS — Mechanics at United Airlines are getting a chance to switch unions for the third time since 2003.
MINNEAPOLIS — Mechanics at United Airlines are getting a chance to switch unions for the third time since 2003. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers said it began collecting cards on Friday from mechanics who want to switch. They are currently in the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Before that they were in the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, which won them away from the IAM in 2003. The earliest they could make the change would be April 2010 because of labor rules that require two years between union switches, said IAM spokesman Joseph Tiberi. The mechanics joined the Teamsters in April 2008. The IAM already represents baggage workers and other ground workers at United. They’re the only ones at the airline who still have a traditional pension. That’s likely to be a key selling point as the union tries to win back the mechanics, although any changes would have to be negotiated with United. Tiberi said mechanics came to the IAM and asked for the chance to switch. "A group of mechanics from United Airlines came to our headquarters in Maryland and asked us to help them launch this campaign. These are people who supported the IAM in the past, they are former representatives from AMFA, and there are some current Teamster" representatives in the group, he said. Teamsters spokeswoman Leigh Strope called the incursion by the IAM "an act of desperation" from a shrinking union. "They have been attempting to undercut the Teamsters and poach our members for a decade," she said. United’s only comment was to note that their employees have the right to choose their union. Shares of United parent UAL Corp. fell along with most other airlines on Friday — down 18 cents, or 3.2 percent, to $5.39 in midday trading. ______ Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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