Airline Division Director Meets with UAL and CAL Management

In Washington this week, Airline Division Director David Bourne and IBT Staff Attorney Ed Gleason held meetings with Doug McKeen Vice President of Labor Relations for United Airlines, and Mike Bonds,Vice President of Human Relations and Labor Relations for Continental. The Company officials were in Washington for meetings with the National Mediation Board regarding ongoing contract discussions at their respective properties and the pending merger of UAL and of CAL. Bourne also discussed with McKeen and Bonds, the ongoing negotiations involving the mechanics and related workgroups. They all expressed a desire and a commitment to reach agreements in a timely fashion. In speaking about the meetings, Director Bourne said, “The meetings were very positive and I appreciate both gentlemen taking time to sit down and discuss the negotiations and the merger. I reiterated to both that during the process, we will maintain our neutrality in terms of the merger, however, we intend to monitor both companies very closely regarding the treatment of their employees and their approaches and attitudes both in terms of contract discussions and employee treatment and respect. As is the case in all airline mergers, good, solid working relationships between management and labor are an essential component to success. I am very pleased that we have such relationships with both United and Continental and I am equally pleased that the carriers are as committed as the Teamsters are in strengthening those relationship even more.”