The Update Message from the International Association of Machinists representing Continental, ExpressJet and
Continental Micronesia
Flight Attendants in the 2339 Local Lodges

Friday, March 10, 2006

ExpressJet Negotiations continued on March 6^th and 7^th in Washington, D.C., with mediator Linda Puchala.  The Union and the Company met separately with the mediator in order to discuss our issues.  We were able to schedule additional dates on April 24^th, 25^th and 26^th.  Your patience is appreciated.  Your Negotiating Committee wants to thank you for your continued solidarity and support.  Your support is essential to reach an agreement that you will ratify.  We will update you with future developments as they occur.

Also, at ExpressJet, Union Representatives have received concerns regarding the subject of being drafted.  Section 5-L of your collective bargaining agreement states that drafting is the mandatory assignment of open time to a flight attendant who is on a day off or completing her/his last scheduled segment of a trip before going off duty.  A flight attendant is to be replaced with a reserve flight attendant at the first point where operational requirements permit.  A line holder who is drafted will be paid 150% of her/his hourly rate for the greater of the scheduled or the actual flight time, paid above the monthly guarantee.  The pay is entered manually and is not automatically paid.  If you are drafted, please remember to file a pay claim to receive the money that you are entitled to in these situations.

IAM/Continental Micronesia Reach Tentative Agreement – Your IAM Flight Attendant Negotiating Committee has reached a tentative agreement with Continental Micronesia for a new contract.  This agreement addresses Flight Attendant’s economic and job issues to the greatest extent possible while considering the company’s current condition, enabling it to compete in the turbulent times the industry is encountering.  A copy of the Agreement with an explanation of each change is being printed and mailed to the most recent address each Flight Attendant has on file with Continental Micronesia.  Following informational meetings, membership voting will be conducted beginning March 21^st through 30^th, 2006.  Implementation is contingent on Flight Attendant ratification.  The times and places for voting will be forthcoming.  Highlights include maintaining pay rates, the highest in the industry, adding a 16^th year pay rate at the amendable date of $52.00, the highest in the industry.  Per diem rates, crew meal allowance, incentive pay, line value/pay guarantee and furlough protection, were all maintained.  In addition, the Flight Attendants will be transitioning to a better retirement plan, the IAM National Pension Plan.  Your Negotiating Committee wants to thank you for your solidarity and support which made this agreement possible. 

Continental Airlines announced the creation of a new commuter policy election form that flight attendants can access through CCS.  In accordance with the enhanced Flight Attendant Commuting Policy, a new electronic form has been created on the Inflight Intranet site to allow you to register a city, on the Continental/ExpressJet route system, where you reside and from which you commute by air.  For details on how to utilize this new form, refer to Inflight Bulletin #06-07.  The enhanced Flight Attendant Commuting Policy was negotiated as part of your new collective bargaining agreement.

Comair’s flight attendant union today began handing out leaflets and briefing passengers at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport as a new round of negotiations with the company over possible concessions entered a second day.  The action also comes a day after the union said a strike is likely if a federal bankruptcy judge allows the airline to void its contract and impose cuts worth $8.9 million a year.

Northwest Airlines and its pilots union reached a tentative agreement last Friday that includes $358 million in annual cost savings, ending a showdown that put the bankrupt airline's future in doubt.  The agreement removed the threat that Northwest would simply impose the cuts it wanted on the pilot group.  The pilots had said they would strike if that happened, and both sides agreed that could have killed the airline.  This deal, as well as pacts reached earlier with flight attendants and ground workers, needs ratification to be final.

We would like to encourage all members to attend your Local Lodge business meeting. Each base must have a quorum to conduct business. The following is a schedule for upcoming meetings:

: Tuesday, March 14^th, 3:00 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel.

Cleveland: Thursday, April 13^th, 4:00 p.m. at 669 North Rocky River Drive.

Guam: Wednesday, March 15^th, 4:00 p.m. at the Airport Conference Room.

Houston: Wednesday, March 22^nd, 1:00 p.m. at 15710 JFK Blvd.