Senator Schatz Commends United Airlines and IAMAW for Bringing Back Union Jobs to Honolulu Airport

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) commended United Airlines and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) for bringing back dozens of union jobs, which were previously given to contractors, to Honolulu International Airport. 

“This is good news for our dedicated union workers and their families at Honolulu Airport,” said Senator Schatz.  “Unions have played an important role in building our middle class and our economy, and I am pleased to see that United Airlines and IAMAW were able to reach an agreement to bring these previously outsourced jobs back to higher paying union jobs.”

Last year, Senator Schatz strongly opposed a proposal by United Airlines to outsource more than 200 jobs at Lihue, Kahului, and Kona Airports.  Senator Schatz called on United to immediately cease any efforts to outsource jobs, citing United’s 2010 testimony before Congress, that its merger with Continental Airlines would not affect the jobs or wages of the new entity’s front line employees.  After a three-month concerted effort, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers announced that United Airlines and IAMAW members came to an agreement that saved 220 neighbor island jobs at Lihue, Kahului, and Kona airports.

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