United Is Shifting Top Executives

UAL Corp.’s United Airlines said its top labor executive will step down as part of management changes at the second-largest carrier, after a record annual loss in 2001.

Bill Hobgood, senior vice president for personnel, becomes senior labor advisor to Chief Executive John W. Creighton, and Sara Fields, now senior vice president for on-board services, will take Hobgood’s former post. President Rono Dutta will focus on generating revenue, and Chief Operating Officer Andy Studdert will oversee all operations, including some formerly handled by Dutta, a United spokesman said.

Creighton has been telling labor groups this month that they need to help save several billion dollars in the next few years. He is making his first major management changes since becoming CEO and chairman of UAL and the airline in October.

Chicago-based UAL’s shares fell 38 cents to close at $14.77 on the New York Stock Exchange. They have declined 60% in the last year.