United and Emirates have signed an historic codeshare agreement, but beyond the initial surprise no one would think that the deal is free from controversy.
After years of bitter opposition, the sudden cooperation between one of the US3 and one of the ME3 is raising concerns within United’s labor unions.
In a statement released today, the Union Leaders of United Airlines (AFA, IAM, ALPA, PAFCA and IBT) said that the new codeshare agreement «demands scrutiny».
«Since the beginning of their existence, Emirates has been sustained by massive government subsidies, unrelated to the global pandemic, used to expand far beyond what market forces could ever support,» they stated.
«These subsidies put U.S. airlines at a tremendous economic disadvantage and threaten U.S. airline workers’ jobs», the unions added. «American workers can compete with any foreign airline when on a level playing field. We cannot compete against entire countries.»
The statement quotes both current United CEO Scott Kirby and former CEO Oscar Munoz, who have opposed Emirates -and the rest of the major Middle East carriers- business model in the past.
United labor organizations also mention that the lack of unions in the United Arab Emirates has led to a «systemic and unacceptable assault» on airline workers’ rights, reflected in «alarming accounts of unfair labor practices and intimidation by employers.»
The letter closes by stating that «United Airlines employees and union leadership will be watching closely to ensure our scope provisions are rigorously followed and demand the highest labor standards are adhered across all partnerships» and assuring that they «will act swiftly if needed to protect our long-term career security.
