Airline mechanics union switches to Teamsters

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.insidebayarea.com/sanmateocountytimes/localnews/ci_8780500

By Tim Simmers, BUSINESS WRITER
Article Created: 04/02/2008 02:41:41 AM PDT

SFO — Fearing the sale of their maintenance division and possible layoffs, United Airlines mechanics have voted to change unions and bring in the Teamsters.

More than 3,000 mechanics at United's biggest maintenance base at San Francisco International Airport joined the airline's mechanics across the country and voted overwhelmingly Monday to leave the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association.

The mechanics believe the move to the Teamsters gives them a better chance of fighting for their jobs on the Peninsula.

UAL Corp.'s United, one of San Mateo County's largest employers, announced last summer that it may sell all or a stake of its maintenance operations in San Bruno to outside investors.

The mechanics, having watched United outsource aircraft maintenance jobs for years, hope the Teamsters can help stop the flow.

"We're fighting the battle to keep jobs in the Bay Area and prevent United from selling off our jobs to the lowest bidder," said Rich Petrovsky, an SFO mechanic and the man who led the effort to change unions. "The Teamsters are a no-nonsense organization that will hold United Airlines' feet to the fire."

FULL story at link.

[DainBramaged]

1. Only Teamsters know how to deliver the goods

They saw the light, bless their skilled little hearts!:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[rurallib]

2. All sorts of mechanical problems because of outsourcing

hope moving to the teamsters work.

[TheCowsCameHome]

3. Welcome, UA mechanics.

Good move, brothers and sisters.