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

Friday, April 14, 2006

Continental Micronesia Flight Attendants Reject Tentative Agreement By Narrow Margin – Please be advised that the National Mediation Board has called the parties to Washington, D.C., the week of April 24th, 2006, due to the members’ rejection of the tentative agreement by a narrow margin.  Your Local Committee will be in the crew room to receive your input which will assist in the resolution of the issues involved.  Your Negotiating Committee wants to thank you for your continued solidarity and support.

ExpressJet Union Representatives are continuing to receive 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.

The IAM will sponsor a Flight Attendant Conference May 30th through June 2nd, 2006, at the IAM William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, MD.  Participants will include your Local Lodge Officers and Grievance Committee Members as well as any flight attendant members who want to attend on a voluntary basis.  Transportation to and from the conference will be provided along with meals and lodging.  Topics at the conference will include contract familiarization, the Family Medical Leave Act and the history of the Union movement in America.  If you would like to attend please contact your Local Lodge President as soon as possible so we can plan for the number of interested participants.  We look forward to seeing you!

Delta, pilots union reach tentative pact - Delta Air Lines and its pilots union have reached a tentative agreement, according to the union. Details were not disclosed, and the agreement still needs ratification from the company's rank-and-file pilots.

Comair flight attendants may strike Monday, union says - Comair's flight attendants union said it may strike as early as Monday. Comair, a unit of Delta Air Lines, and the union are negotiating concessions which Delta says it needs to preserve the airline and emerge from bankruptcy.

Discount carriers lose low-cost advantage - Discount airlines have lost some of their cost advantage because major carriers have reduced expenses, analysts say. Excess capacity in markets where discount airlines operate has kept fare prices low and eroded revenue.

Rising jet fuel prices hamper airline industry - The Air Transport Association said that continued rising jet fuel prices are impeding the remarkable overall progress being made by the U.S. airline industry to return to profitability. The industry's total fuel expense more than doubled from 2003 to 2005, and increased $10.3 billion from 2004 to 2005 alone, wiping out any chance of industry-wide profit last year.

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, May 9th, 3:00 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel.

Cleveland: Thursday, May 11th, 4:00 p.m. at 669 North Rocky River Drive.

Guam: Wednesday, April 19th, 4:00 p.m. at the Airport Conference Room.

Houston: Wednesday, April 26th, 1:00 p.m. at 15710 JFK Blvd.