Labor relations at United Airlines are once again on the rocks as talks over a new contract for the 30,000 ramp and customer service employees represented by the International Association of Machinists drag on (see WIT for April 9, 2002). New CEO Jack Creighton had hoped to settle all outstanding contract negotiations by March 25, and begin bargaining over wage-concessions with all the unions at United on an equal footing. Despite the IAM?s initial praise for the new CEO (see WIT for Oct. 29, 2001), and the successful negotiation of a contract for United?s mechanics (see WIT for Feb. 19, 2002), Creighton and the president of IAM District 141 have fallen back into the name-calling and accusations that preceded the ouster of Creighton?s predecessor (see WIT for Oct. 25, 2001).
See "Contract path turns turbulent at United", JOHN SCHMELTZER, Chicago Tribune, April 18, 2002