United Airlines CEO Re-Elected To Board As Airport Workers Protest Annual Meeting

CHICAGO, IL — The CEO of United Airlines was re-elected by shareholders to the Chicago-based carrier's board of directors during the company's annual meeting Wednesday at Willis Tower a little more than a month after the forcible removal of a passenger created a public relations nightmare for the airline.

Oscar Munoz — the United exec who was able to weather the storm of consumer outrage generated when video footage of Dr. David Dao being violently dragged from his seat during a flight out of O'Hare International Airport spread across social media and news outlets — called the April 9 incident "a watershed moment" for the company, even as groups of baggage handlers, janitors and other airport employees United hires through subcontractors protested outside the downtown building, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Munoz had been criticized for his missteps in handling the aftermath of Dao's removal from United Express flight 3411 last month. Dao, a 69-year-old doctor from Kentucky, was one of four people randomly chosen to be bumped from the Chicago-to-Louisville flight so that airline employees could fly. The doctor, however, refused to give up his seat because he needed to return home to see patients the next day, and he suffered a "significant concussion" and a broken nose when Chicago Aviation Police eventually physically dragged him from the plane, his lawyer said. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Chicago — or your neighborhood. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

As part of United's initial, measured response to the incident, Munoz described Dao's treatment as an "upsetting event" in a public statement. That was followed by an email of support sent to United employees that not only defended the actions taken by the aviation cops but also called Dao "beligerent."

Munoz, though, was quick to walk back his original remarks, later characterizing the incident as a "truly horrific event" and vowing that the airline would rectify matters with Dao, as well as "fix what's broken so this never happens again." On April 27, United and Dao reached "an amicable settlement," the terms of which were confidential.

Patch's United Flight 3411 Coverage:

United Passenger, Airline Reach Confidential Settlement In Dragging Incident: VIDEO: The deal comes the same day as the Chicago-based company released its report on the events aboard flight 3411.

Passenger Was 'Aggressive'; Aviation Cops Used 'Minimal But Necessary Force': Incident Report: Records concerning the events of flight 3411 claim Dr. David Dao was combative with officers before being removed from the plane.

Chicago Lawyer In Passenger-Dragging Will Represent American Airlines Customer: Attorney Thomas Demetrio said both incidents illustrate the unfair treament customers receveive from airlines during a TV interview Monday.

Passenger Dragged From Flight Suffered Concussion, Broken Nose: VIDEO: A lawsuit likely after United forced a doctor off the plane to "re-accommodate" him so an airline employee could take his seat.

United's Image Takes Online Beating In Memes, Comments: Social media reaction to video footage of a passenger being dragged from a full flight Sunday night has been swift and merciless.

The workers protesting outside Willis Tower during United's annual meeting were part of a series of Fight for $15 demonstrations that also targeted Wednesday's annual meeting for McDonald's at the fast-food giant's Oak Brook headquarters. Service Employees International Union Local 1 President Tom Balanoff and other labor activists joined the airline workers, who were demanding higher wages, as well as drawing attention to claims that United contractors at O'Hare undercut positions at the airport and created safety and security issues, according to CBS 2 Chicago.

WATCH: 30 Protesters Arrested Outside United Airlines' Annual Meeting

A United spokeswoman told CBS 2 Chicago via email that while the airline holds its contractors and subcontractors to "the highest standards and require them to follow all applicable laws and regulations," it must rely on them to work directly with the employees they hire.

RELATED: 'Fight For $15' Movement To Take On McDonald's At Shareholder Meeting

As of Wednesday afternoon, 30 protesters — including Balanoff — had been arrested outside Willis Tower, the TV station reported. Police also had issued citations to activists for blocking traffic, the report added. and

More via the Chicago Sun-Times and CBS 2 Chicago

United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz in 2016 (photo by Richard Drew | Associated Press)

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