CHICAGO, Nov. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) today agreed to commence contract negotiations more than one year ahead of the scheduled amendable date of their agreements. These negotiations, which cover nearly 30,000 United employees, are expected to proceed on an early and expedited basis.

"Working together with the IAM, United is moving forward to deliver industry-leading contracts for our IAM-represented employees well ahead of the normal bargaining schedule," said Mike Bonds, United's executive vice president of Human Resources and Labor Relations. "This is one of several positive steps we've taken recently to demonstrate our firm commitment to our people."

As part of this agreement, United has extended through Jan. 15, 2019, its commitment not to contract out work currently performed by the IAM-represented group at all hub and station airport locations.

"Our employees have told us that timely contracts and job protections are important to them, and this announcement is a win-win for the company, the union and our employees," said Greg Hart, United executive vice president and chief operations officer. "We are glad that our ongoing relationship with the IAM has produced meaningful benefits for United employees."

United has joint collective bargaining agreements covering the majority of its represented employees. The company and the IAM have executed seven joint collective agreements in the past few years for the airline's ramp service and passenger service agents, storekeepers, load planners, maintenance and fleet technical instructors, and other groups. United is also engaged in mediated negotiations with the Association of Flight Attendants and has entered into discussions with its pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, to consider an extension of their current collective agreement. Additionally, United recently announced an agreement with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters to put a proposed joint collective bargaining agreement out for ratification by the company's technicians and related employees.

About United

United Airlines and United Express operate an average of nearly 5,000 flights a day to 352 airports across six continents. In 2014, United and United Express operated nearly two million flights carrying 138 million customers. United is proud to have the world's most comprehensive route network, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. United operates more than 700 mainline aircraft, and this year, the airline anticipates taking delivery of 34 new Boeing aircraft, including the 787-9 and the 737-900ER. United is also welcoming 49 new Embraer E175 aircraft to United Express. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 192 countries via 28 member airlines. Approximately 84,000 United employees reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world. For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook. The common stock of United's parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.

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SOURCE United Airlines