United’s Mechanics Vote to Change Unions

United Airlines’ mechanics voted to drop the International Assn. of Machinists and join the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Assn., the AMFA said.

AMFA said it received 5,234 votes of the 8,239 votes cast by the unit members in the election conducted by the National Mediation Board.

IAM still represents 26,000 United employees who were not part of the election, including ramp workers, baggage handlers, ticket agents and customer service representatives. The union represented more than 100,000 aerospace industry workers before the election.

UAL Corp., United’s parent, has been operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection since December.

By adding the more than 13,000 United mechanics, AMFA’s membership rolls will more than double. AMFA also represents mechanics at Northwest Airlines Corp., the fourth-largest U.S. carrier.