FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:Michael Buckley
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Workers Not Alone in Battle for Their Futures
Washington, DC – Edward Wytkind, President of AFL-CIO’s Transportation Trades Department, on behalf of its 35 member unions, issued the following statement today in support of the 20,000 Machinists union members at United Airlines as they work to reach a labor agreement with United Airlines in the face of a pending bankruptcy hearing.
“The hard-working Machinists union members at United Airlines – in the fight of their lives for their jobs and their rights – have the full support of transportation labor across America.
“For years aviation workers in this country have been at the receiving end of incompetent airline management decisions, a warped bankruptcy code that slashes workers as if they’re merely pillows and peanuts to be scaled back, and a cold-hearted government that has defied a congressional mandate to assist the airlines with federal loan guarantees in the wake of the industry’s financial collapse following the September 11 attacks on our nation.
“The employees of United have been the backbone of this company. They returned to work just days after the September 11 attacks and worked around the clock to restore confidence in air travel. They gave back millions in wages and benefits to ensure this company survived. And even though these workers remain committed to this airline and its passengers, Machinist members now see their management turning on them in the worst way imaginable.
“United management must reach a fair agreement with the Machinists union, and not impose a one-sided deal through the bankruptcy process that, as the union has clearly stated, will only provoke a strike against United Airlines by the Machinists.
“These dedicated workers are in the fight of their lives. We stand with them in this battle for fairness and dignity.”
TTD represents 35 member unions in the rail, aviation, transit, trucking, highway, longshore, maritime and related industries. For more information, visit ttd.org.
Transportation Labor Pledges Full Support for Machinists Union Members at United Airlines