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February 4, 2008
UAL Merger Info Update
To: All IAM/UAL Members
Dear Sisters and Brothers :
Printable Version
United Airlines management requested to meet with
us last week to discuss the "merger/consolidation" articles appearing in
the news media, and CEO Tilton's publicly stated views around this issue
of such a need to consolidate with someone, and as shared with employees
on the 1/18/08 "Eye On United". The company was represented at this
meeting by Pete McDonald (Senior VP for World Wide Operations) Paul
Lovejoy (Senior VP General Counsel) and Tom Sullivan (Director Labor
Relations - Ground) and joining me for the IAM were AGC Al Faung Jr, AGC
Miriam Seewald, AGC Karen Asuncion and AGC Denny Demes.
The purpose of the meeting was to begin a dialogue with us to develop a
joint process and structure that can be in place to clearly communicate
with each other in the event such a merger or consolidation takes place.
While the company confirmed at this meeting their stated interests in
this area ... they did not identify any particular partner at this time.
We advised the company we would develop and propose a transparent
process and structure that provides we be made aware of any significant
progress towards a merger within the limits of the law. We further
advised that when we had such a process/structure developed we would
re-engage the company for further discussions and the company concurred
to a follow-up meeting. We also requested should a merger take place
that the company recognizes the IAM for continued representation rights,
which the company declined to address at this time.
Pilot's Recent Agreement of 1/21/2008
We took the opportunity while at the above stated meeting to engage in a
brief discussion regarding the recent Agreement between the company and
pilots. We advised the company that we have provided their Agreement
with the pilots to our financial adviser for a review. We further
advised that should it indicate that there has been an increased cost to
the company (not cost neutral) in entering this Agreement, it would be
our intention (as bargained by the DL 141 Negotiating Committee) under
the terms of our Agreement, to begin bargaining with the company for the
same cost value for our membership as provided to the pilots.
We will continue to keep the membership informed on these issues as we
move forward and information as it is developed with the company.
Sincerely and Fraternally,
S.R. (Randy) Canale
President and Directing General Chairperson |