labor lawAdivision of labor law center

 With prices for jet fuel at an all-time high, many airlines are laying off workers. Just last week, United Airlines announced plans to lay off 1,000 “non-essential” airline personnel.

 

In addition, OSHA recently fined United almost $200,000 for worker safety violations. On May 20, OSHA announced it was fining the airline industry leader $192,500 for multiple violations uncovered during OSHA inspections of the carrier’s O’Hare hub operations.

 

According to OSHA officials, the health hazards found at United Airlines included poorly designed flammable liquid storage cabinets. OSHA inspectors also found that the airline had failed to conduct a survey to find and remove asbestos from its aging facility at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. The location is the airline’s largest hub.

 

United is the nation’s second largest airline, lagging behind Dallas-based American Airlines in sales. Even with the summer vacation season in full swing, airline revenues are lagging as the industry faces record-setting fuel prices, with no end in sight. Many companies have introduced unprecedented cost-saving measures. Both American and United have recently started charging passengers $15 per checked bag, even for the first bag. Other airlines are expected to follow suit soon. Northwestern recently eliminated snacks on all domestic flights – a move some passengers hailed as a blessing in disguise.

 

“United worked with OSHA throughout the inspection and took immediate action to address a number of issues raised, said Megan McCarthy – a spokesperson for United. Normally that’s code for “the inspectors found additional violations, but we corrected them before they could ticket and fine us.”

 

Often OSHA inspectors will note a violation and give the employer a few days or weeks to correct it. That seems to have occurred in this case, although details are sketchy.

 

Earlier in May, OSHA filed a $215,500 fine for a series of workplace safety violations uncovered during the same inspection. There is a ray of hope – if United can prove that it took steps to correct the violations, it will pay less than the total of $408,000 in fines levied by OSHA so far this year.

 

According to United spokesperson McCarthy, OSHA officials are scheduled to meet with United management to discuss steps that have been taken to remedy the health hazards. “There is nothing more important than the safety of employees and customers, and United considers this assessment an opportunity to focus on strengthening key areas of workplace safety,” McCarthy said.

 

This action follows OSHA fining American Airline more than $450,000 last year. That inspection also occurred at O’Hare airport, which has caused concern for some travelers.

 

United Air Lines, Inc trades as United Airlines, a subsidiary of the Chicago-based UAL Corporation. The company had approximately 650 departures per day from O’Hare before the fuel crisis. In addition to the O’Hare hub, United operates hubs in Denver, at Washington Dulles, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Narita Airport in Tokyo. The company’s largest maintenance facility is in San Francisco.

 

As recently as February 2008, United was discussing a merger with Continental Airlines Inc. In April 2008, United was again the target of merger rumors, apparently in negotiations with US Airways Group. That merger was opposed by United pilots. In June 2008, partly as a cost-saving measure, United grounded its “Ted” budget airline unit. At the same time, United announced it will ground older 737s, reducing domestic passenger capacity by 11 percent.

 

OSHA cited the airline for violations that occurred between November 2007 and February 2008. While the inspectors noted that some of the violations could potentially pose a threat to workers, none of the interfered with flight safety or pose a risk to consumers.

 

As always, the employer has a period of time to appeal the OSHA findings. United Airlines and other companies mentioned in this article deny that any worker safety hazards were found, have been permitted or are being committed.

 

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