Mechanics Warn Air Travelers: United Outsources Maintenance to China

Airport Leafleting Alerts Flyers to Potential Dangers of Foreign Repair Operations

(Washington, D.C.) – United Airlines mechanics and supporters from the Teamsters Union leafleted eight airports nationwide before the Christmas holiday. They alerted passengers to the airline’s practice of outsourcing heavy maintenance of its airplanes to China.

The Teamsters, who are organizing mechanics from United (NASDAQ: UAUA), support them in their efforts to prevent the sale of the San Francisco aircraft maintenance operation. The mechanics believe that aviation safety is compromised by outsourcing maintenance.

United now outsources all of its heavy maintenance of Boeing 747s and 777s to South Korea and China. In the Beijing repair station, only five of 2,179 mechanics are certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The protesters stood near United counters at Boston Logan, Chicago O’Hare, Denver International, Los Angeles International, New York JFK, San Francisco International, Seattle Sea-Tac and Washington Dulles airports. They handed out leaflets stating “Passenger Alert: United Airplanes Repaired by Uncertified Mechanics in China.”

“Outsourcing airplane maintenance threatens mechanics’ jobs and it threatens passenger safety,” said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa.

The FAA does not require foreign companies to perform drug or criminal background checks on their employees. Foreign companies are also not required to employ FAA-certified mechanics.

A substantial majority of United mechanics have submitted cards requesting Teamster representation. The Teamsters are confident of winning an election to represent the mechanics within the next few months.