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Indybay Feature

United engineers unite

by Sandra Butler
United Airlines engineers hold an informational picket to spur on contract negotioans
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Wednesday, June 15, members of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) held an informational picket outside the United

Airlines maintenance terminal in San Bruno, California. Theirs is the last unsigned contract for United workers.They've been without one for the past two years.

Responsible for both the daily and long-term maintenance, the engineers, technicians and specialists at United Airlines make sure that the aircraft fleet is flying safely. These workers, part of United Airline's United Services division,
perform their work while maintaining high quality, ensuring passenger safety and helping United Airlines recover from bankruptcy.

In the past year alone, the engineers, technicians and specialists saved United Airlines some $167 million by identifying inefficiencies and showing management how
they can perform the same level of quality work at less expense.

These efforts, along with numerous cost savings identified by United employees have shown that it is United's workers that are saving the airline, not United's management.

Yet, instead of being rewarded and receiving encouragement for their efforts,workers have already faced year after year of salary and benefit cuts.

Engineers from Boeing Aircraft, which supplies United with many of their aircraft, came from Seattle, Oregon to support the San Francisco Airport crew. Jennifer MaKay, President of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace and Boeing engineer, said that United's engineers are being paid up to 40% less than market value. In the last two years, 150 engineers have left, which is of great concern to Boeing. "Beoing believes the long term success of United rests on the professional and technical employee skill base, and when we watch that talent leave, it concerns us."

Lawrence Tongas, member of the IFPTE Local 20 bargaining committee said United is expected to exit bankruptcy this year, and when that happens the stock held by employees will no longer be of any financial value. Tongas, a 14 year veteran with the company explained that United employees all took salary cuts in exchange for stock. However, the stock which was valued at $100 a share in the early 90's quickly dropped to $1 a share. Pensions were terminated and retirements ruined.

United employs about 310 engineers nationwide. 250 at SFO, 50 in Indianapolis, 10 in Chicago. Negotiations are ongoing.
§Jennifer MacKay
by Sandra Butler
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§Lawrence Tongas
by Sandra Butler
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