January 22, 2008

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(Chicago, IL) – Change to Win’s leaders today pledged to support United Airlines mechanics in their efforts to join the Teamsters Union and improve their working conditions.

Meeting in Chicago, representative mechanics told the federation’s leadership council why they want to join the Teamsters: stronger representation, help in the fight against outsourcing and support for an investigation into the way United foisted its pension obligations onto U.S. taxpayers.

The Teamsters and the 9300 active and furloughed mechanics are awaiting a date for a vote from the National Mediation Board. 

“The six million members of Change to Win unions stand with the Teamsters and the United airlines mechanics in their efforts to improve their representation at United Airlines,” the resolution said.

The Change to Win leaders also signed a letter to all United Airlines mechanics and related workers expressing their support.

“With Change to Win standing beside us, I’m confident that we’ll win our fight to represent United mechanics and strengthen their rights at work,” said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa.

The Change to Win unions said they would stand in solidarity with United Airlines mechanics in the event of a strike.

They also agreed to support the mechanics’ demands concerning outsourcing, which threatens aircraft safety, national security and mechanics’ jobs.

Finally, they agreed to press for an investigation into how United foisted its pension obligations on U.S. taxpayers.  

The Change to Win unions are UNITE HERE; United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Laborers' International Union of North America, Service Employees International Union, International Brotherhood of Teamsters and United Farmworkers of America.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.