United pilots union to tone down confrontational labor tactics

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/item.aspx?type=blog&ak=14198.blog

Is it time for a thaw in the frosty relationship between pilots and management at United? In recent years, their contentious relationship has stood out even in an industry already known for labor discord. But, now, a somewhat friendlier era could be on the way as the pilots union reexamines some of its "confrontational" tactics, according to The Associated Press.


FROM THE UNION: Statement from Capt. Wendy Morse: http://www.alpa.org/Portals/Alpa/PressRoom/PressReleases/2010/UALMECstatement_1-8-10.htm


The Chicago Tribune writes that "a change at the top of the chain of command at United's most powerful union holds the promise of bringing some civility to negotiations as contract talks intensify, even if the two sides remain deeply divided on such issues as pay and outsourcing." The change comes after Capt. Wendy Morse assumed the top role at the pilots union on Jan. 1 – a move that also makes her the first woman to head a major pilots union, according to the Tribune.

AP writes Morse indicated the union "will dial back confrontational labor tactics in hopes of reclaiming some of the pay given up five years ago to help save the company." But, she also warned that the union will fall into the role of pushover. "The last thing we want to do is stand out of the way and let the company do things that are contrary to our interests," she's quoted as saying by AP.

"Since engagement is not appeasement, we intend to engage them at every level," Morse adds. "If we get to a point that we have to be confrontational ... we're certainly capable of doing that, and we will. But that is not our first choice. Our first choice is engagement to move forward."

FULL story at link.