United reaches agreement with dispatchers' unions

Chicago-based United Airlines has reached a tentative agreement on a new joint collective bargaining agreement with the Professional Airline Flight Control Association and the Transport Workers Union for United's dispatchers.

PAFCA represents dispatchers at the United subsidiary, and TWU represents dispatchers at the Continental subsidiary. The tentative agreement covers and is subject to ratification by United's more than 330 dispatchers.

United and the two unions reached the agreement with the assistance of the National Mediation Board.

"Working with the National Mediation Board, we were able to reach a responsible tentative agreement that recognizes the good work and contributions of our dispatchers," said Tracy Lee, United's vice president of network operations. "I want to thank the National Mediation Board and the negotiating committee for helping us reach this important milestone."

United also reached agreement with the Association of Flight Attendants this week to begin a collaborative process of facilitated problem-solving in an effort to reach a joint collective agreement for flight attendants. United has used similar processes to achieve joint agreements with other work groups, and the airline was encouraged by AFA's commitment to move forward on a collaborative path. The parties have requested the assistance of the National Mediation Board to facilitate the discussions, and will meet with representatives next week and during the next scheduled bargaining session in June.

United has achieved joint collective bargaining agreements with a majority of the company's represented workforce, including pilots, fleet service, passenger service, reservations and storekeeper workgroups. The company expects to enter back into negotiations with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, representing United's technicians, soon.