UAL Unions Express Concern with First Quarter Results

CHICAGO, April 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Airlines' first quarter net loss of $152 million, is unacceptable after employees were forced to make life-changing sacrifices totaling $5.6 billion annually in cuts to pensions, pay, healthcare and work rules. This loss represents a failure by management.

United Airlines Union Coalition leaders released the following statement by Mark Bathurst of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), Greg Davidowitch of the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA), Lou Lucivero of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), Jim Seitz of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), and Craig Symons of the Professional Airline Flight Control Association (PAFCA):

We remain concerned about the future of our airline as executives fail to recognize the increasing disaffection of employees toward the Company. Employees ensured the airline emerged from its most vulnerable time, as we rallied behind the concept that shared sacrifice would equal shared rewards. Executives continue to destroy that concept and enrich themselves at the expense of workers while employee resentment and anger grows.

Industry analysts predict that 2007 on the whole is expected to produce over $5 billion in profits for the industry. There is still time for United Airlines, and all of its stakeholders, to obtain a substantial portion of these profits if action is taken immediately.

Employees must be engaged in the success of the airline, which dictates that executives recognize our part in transforming the airline by immediately instituting the promised shared rewards through:

  --    Moving up Contract negotiation dates,
  --    Increasing employee compensation,
  --    Improving the success sharing program for employees, and
  --    Addressing quality of work-life for each employee group.

United Airlines has tremendous opportunity to capitalize on the circumstances of the industry. Implementation of shared rewards is the key to our airline's success.

Combined, the coalition's five labor unions represent more than 30,000 United employees.

  Contacts:
  Dave Kelly          Sara Nelson                 Jim Seitz
  ALPA                AFA-CWA                     AMFA
  847-292-1708        847-292-7170 ext. 524       650-416-2005

  Lou Lucivero        Craig Symons
  IFPTE               PAFCA
  650-634-2287        773-858-1712