Teamsters condemn United Airlines for outsourcing aircraft maintenance to China
- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has initiated a billboard campaign in major U.S. cities against United Airlines.
- This move follows a decisive 99.5% rejection by Teamsters of a contract proposal seen as harmful to jobs.
- The campaign emphasizes concerns over safety and job preservation in the airline industry amid significant outsourcing.
In early March 2025, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters initiated a billboard campaign targeting United Airlines for its outsourcing practices. The campaign prominently features billboards in major locations, including Chicago's Willis Tower and O'Hare International Airport, along with signs at Newark International Airport and the United Airlines Flight Training Center in Denver. The initiative arose following a significant vote from Teamsters members, where 99.5% rejected a contract proposal from United Airlines, which was perceived as a plan to further outsource jobs to foreign countries, particularly China and South America. Teamsters claimed that around 85% of United's heavy maintenance is already processed by repair firms located in these regions. Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien, after the rejection of the proposed contract, expressed dissatisfaction over what he termed an un-American proposal that would not only threaten jobs but also diminish the dignity and respect owed to the airline's maintenance workforce. Furthermore, Chris Griswold, the Director of the Teamsters Airline Division, highlighted that despite United Airlines being one of the most profitable companies in the aviation industry, it has not offered fair compensation to its employees. These events underscore a growing tension between labor unions and corporate practices focused on outsourcing, raising questions about the future of American jobs in the airline maintenance sector.