Posted on: Saturday, January 19, 2002

Airline's mechanics may switch unions

By Susan Hooper
Advertiser Staff Writer

The approximately 400 mechanics at Hawaiian Airlines are expected to vote to change their union representation, according to a spokesman for the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association.

The mechanics are represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

Kevin McCormick, national administrator for the Aircraft Mechanics union, said enough Hawaiian Airlines mechanics have asked to change unions that an election likely will be held. The balloting could take place in a month, McCormick said.

Randy Kauhane, an official of the mechanics' current union, could not be reached for comment yesterday.

McCormick said the Aircraft Mechanics group represents only mechanics and related workers — primarily custodians and cleaners.

The machinists' union represents several types of airline employees. At Hawaiian, the machinists' group represents customer service and reservations agents, and accounting, data entry, crew scheduling and supply personnel, as well as mechanics and cleaners, according to Keoni Wagner, a Hawaiian spokesman. Hawaiian Airlines is in the process of merging with Aloha Airlines.