Letter To Senator Arlin Spector
Senator Arlin Spector
711 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
FAX: 202-228-1229
Dear Senator Spector,
I represent 268 of United Airlines finest Flight Attendants currently domiciled at the Philadelphia International Airport. We have made this our home since the domicile opening in early 1992. Monday, June 2, United announced it intends to close the Philadelphia Flight Attendant domicile uprooting our lives and the lives of our families, forever. This comes weeks after our union collectively agreed to give the company millions of dollars in labor concessions to fend off liquidation. In addition, the federal government has given millions to support our ailing air transportation system. It is completely unacceptable after the millions in concessions and federal support that we must now be forced from our community and homes.
While United maintains this move is necessary for the financial recovery of the airline, both the dedicated employees and union have given the company numerous concrete cost-saving ideas, as they requested, that would keep the domicile open and financially viable. United management, standing firm to date, continues to seek the erosion of our collective beginning agreement, otherwise, threatening the domicile will close for the September 2003 schedule. This is can only be perceived as apparent extortion and emotional blackmail to further empty our pockets to cover costly and poor past management decisions. Once again the front line employees must bare the burdens cast upon us by big business.
Closing our domicile requires relocating to Boston, Washington DC, Chicago, Denver San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles or Seattle. All of which present a significant cost of living increase from our homes and lifestyles here in the affordable Delaware Valley. This is a dramatic and inconceivable life change, especially after our recent salary reductions across the board and added medical insurance premiums.
I am writing to ask you personally to help us save our jobs and the jobs of our families here in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas, and voice your displeasure as our elected leader for eliminating the jobs of your constituents. The Flight Attendants of United in Philadelphia are truly committed to helping our company return to profitability while maintaining a community presence in the Delaware Valley. Should you have any suggestions or tools at your disposal in the governmental arena to assist us in preserving jobs in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, please make your presence known by contacting United management, immediately. Only hours exist to potentially change the tide in our favor.
Please contact Mr. Glenn F. Tilton, Chairman, President and CEO by fax at 847-700-2355 and Mr. Jake Brace Executive Vice President and CFO by fax at 847-700-6788.
Sincerely,
Terry Knoy
LEC President Council 23 PHL (Proud to be Philly)
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