Catherwood LibraryILR School

Following a demand for his resignation by the president of UAL's largest union (see October 25, 2001 WIT), James Goodwin has resigned as chairman of UAL's board of directors. Although initially supported by the International Association of Machinists and the Air Line Pilots Association---which both have seats on United's board of directors and together represent a majority of its employees---Goodwin had lost the approval of the unions even before the leaking of the letter that was the immediate cause of his resignation. While the IAM and ALPA have so far been unanimous in their praise for Goodwin's successor, United has a reputation for cycling through chairmen who slip in the delicate balancing act required of CEO's of employee owned companies.