MEC Grievance Committee
In 2018, the Company introduced a new premium economy product, United Premium Plus. These seats located at the front of the economy cabin would be identified by their purple color and elevated economy service including a larger seat, greater recline with foot rest and enhanced meal options. They would only be sold as a “Premium Plus” seat with elevated service on international routes and select domestic flights. The introduction of this product did not change the class designation for the aircraft that have these seats. United Premium Plus seats would be served by those Flight Attendants who work in the economy cabin. United remained a two (2) class airline, United Polaris Business Class and Economy Class. It is important to understand this distinction when it comes to the application of 3.H.8 of our CBA. 3.H.8 provides that:
Flight Attendants will be booked in business class on three class aircraft, if available. If business is not available, the Flight Attendant will be booked in premium economy. Seating will be assigned first in aisle seats, then in window seats, and only if neither is available, in any other available seats.
While we have language in the agreement that addresses deadheading in a “3 class cabin” there aren’t any aircraft in the fleet currently with that configuration. United Premium Plus is sold as an economy product on select routes and was introduced after our prior contract the JCBA was negotiated. In 2022, we received a System Board decision from an MEC grievance we filed, MEC 5-18 clarifying the language. This grievance was filed to challenge the Company not booking Flight Attendants in United Premium Plus. While we did not prevail in the grievance, we did get the understanding and application to the language on how the Company will book deadhead seats.