2001 will certainly go down in UAL history as the year of the 'scope clause'.  That all-important piece of language in our current contract has gotten the airline into some hot water lately.  First, you've got the proposed US Airways merger---which has lead to a majority of our work force indicating that we are willing to initiate CHAOS action should the merger occur without scope clause waiver consent from us.

And now the latest issue with UAL's proposed business jet operation---a slick fleet of 200 business aircraft that should be airborne by 2005.  United has indicated that it will hire approximately 1,000 new pilots for this as yet unnamed business entity.  United has also indicated that it will not use any of us to provide onboard safety and service duties.  In other words, no UAL flight attendants will be employed on those planes.

The pilots and UAL have already settled this matter, as their union had already negotiated an agreement on the hiring of 1,000 new pilots.  However, according to our union as reported on DEAR-AFA, "information obtained by your MEC from outside sources - information which had already been provided to United pilots regarding the deal - shows that the company intends to use A320 aircraft, among other equipment."

A320?  Isn't that the kind of plane that we fly?  This would definitely appear to raise some 'issues'.   The DEAR-AFA tape goes on to report, "In response to this latest development, your MEC passed a resolution during its special meeting last week which stated that the flying described in the Biz Jet documents should be flown by Flight Attendants on the UAL seniority list.  And, that the company must negotiate a waiver to our Scope Language as it did with ALPA.   As our legal staff examines the information we are able to obtain - from United and elsewhere - we will keep you informed."

Well there you have it...might this be another potentially serious crisis between UAL and its flight attendants over their contract's scope clause language?

Only time will tell.