San Bruno B.A.R.T.

  Organized labor and elected officials took to the steps of San Francisco City Hall Wednesday to protest what they say is United Airlines' plan to close its maintenance facility at San Francisco International Airport.

  The protestors included Teamsters President Jim Hoffa, who said 4,500 Bay Area jobs would vanish if UAL outsources its maintenance work. The Teamsters union currently does not represent the mechanics.

  "Whether it's in the airline industry or whether it's in the auto industry, we're seeing good jobs go overseas," said Hoffa. "I say let's keep good jobs here in America. Let's put America to work."

  United Airlines issued a statement accusing the Teamsters of either not understanding the facts or purposely misrepresenting them.

  "Our goal is to attract third party investment to grow the maintenance business in San Francisco and become more competitive, giving our mechanics more opportunity," said Pete McDonald, United executive vice president and chief operating officer. He added that United oursources less than four percent of maintenance work to foreign repair stations, not the 45 percent claimed by the Teamsters.