United pilots seek CEO resignation

United Airlines on Monday accused its pilots union of intimidation after the group launched a Web campaign to oust the chief executive, less than two weeks after United sued the pilots for allegedly retaliating for impending layoffs.

The acrimonious relationship between United and its pilots escalated when the group called for CEO Glenn Tilton's resignation and launched www.glenntilton.com to list company problems.

"This is an obvious and predictable attempt to deflect attention from ALPA's illegal activity cited in our lawsuit, which details the organized and concerted effort to harm our customers, our employees and our performance; and is part of the union's ongoing two-year campaign to intimidate United into reopening a contract that runs through December 2009," said United spokeswoman Jean Medina.

She said the company faces several layoffs in coming months to offset losses.

"We will continue to take the necessary actions that enable this company to compete in this environment and refuse to repeat the mistakes of the past, when the interest of one stakeholder was put disproportionately above balancing the needs of our customers, employees and shareholders - to the harm of all," said Medina.

The union and Chicago-based UAL Corp., parent of United with operations in Elk Grove Township, have been at odds since the airline emerged from bankruptcy about two years ago and provided hefty compensation packages to Tilton and other top executives while the pilots and others saw their salaries and benefits cut.

United's lawsuit filed July 30 seeks a preliminary injunction against ALPA and four pilots for organized sick leave abuse in opposition to the company's plan to reduce its fleet size and to furlough pilots. Court hearings are set for Aug. 27 and 28.

"Under Glenn Tilton's tenure, United has gone from being the finest airline in the world, with the best route structure and safety record, to a shell of its former self," Captain Steve Wallach, chairman of the United Master Executive Council, said in a statement.

"He has had every opportunity to turn this company around, and tap the abilities of its first-class employees, but instead he has run it into the ground. We believe that with the intense challenges facing our industry, United Airlines will not be able to thrive as long as Glenn Tilton, with his proven record of incompetence, continues as CEO. It is time for Glenn Tilton to go."