Despite Good Labor Relations, United Airlines Opposes Effort To Unionize Catering Workers
Despite having generally positive labor relations, United Airlines is opposing unionization efforts by some 2,700 catering workers. In January, Unite Here submitted a list of signatures representing 76% of the corporations’ catering employees, more than enough to meet the NLRB’s 50% threshold to hold a representation election. In March, the airline challenged the validity of the signature list. On March 29, the National Mediation Board announced it would launch an investigation into the union’s card-check drive. Unite Here claims that United had been attacking the unionization effort by suspending worker-organizers in Houston and Newark, and posting anti-union messages in work areas. United released a prepared statement refuting the allegations, maintaining that Unite Here’s organization campaign was deliberately confusing employees and misrepresenting the situation. As of May 9, the National Mediation Board has not released a conclusive statement on their investigation.
See "Despite Good Labor Relations, United Airlines Opposes Effort To Unionize Catering Workers", Ted Reed, Forbes, May 9, 2018