Protesters: United Not Doing Enough To Get Benefits From City

August 28, 2011 4:10 PM

(Credit: AP)

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CHICAGO (CBS) – A couple dozen protesters stood outside United Airlines’ Chicago offices on Sunday to demand that United do more for the city.

The protesters’ message: that United is making too much money to also get benefits from the city through tax increment financing.

“The city of Chicago has given approximately $50 million to United Airlines over the past four years,” said Service Employees International Union member Annette Jones, one of the protest organizers.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio’s Steve Miller reports

The protesters brought a bunch of luggage and set it outside United’s headquarters on West Wacker Drive – symbolic, they said, of the burden United is placing on the backs of Chicago’s working people.

United has also come under criticism lately – along with American Airlines – for funneling their jet fuel purchases through the town of Sycamore, Illinois in order to avoid Chicago city taxes and saving millions.

A spokesman for United Airlines has declined comment.

DJ

United also employs thousands of Chicagoans. They’re a business.

Brian K.

Nice logic. You’d also probably thank a rapist for not murdering your wife also.

And have you actually tried calling United lately? I’m guessing it wasn’t Bob from Chicago, USA who answered the phone.

billyd

Nothing wrong with that logic. If Chicago wants to tax them to the limit, UA can pick up their toys and move somewhere else. I personally despise the company, but they have every right to operate profitably.

PlatFlier

United would of moved its HQ to Houston if it hadn’t received 50M in breaks.
m

TIF takes money away from the schools.
employees of united want that to happen. Terrible airiline.
The teachers union and the school board let the money go away only to raise property taxes.
Chris

So United is a bunch of snakes. What’s the surprise here? They have the absolute worst customer service and zero reliability. They won’t hesitate to cancel your flight weeks after you booked as long as they stand to make an extra dollar doing it. It’s like flying with the Devil. And I’m leaving about 100k miles on the table since I’d rather build mile with a legitimate airline.
builder

united is the pits but the unions coreographed protests are the pot calling the kettle black they both suck
billyd

Agree with builder. The union leadership thugs suck just a little worse.