The Union announced last Thursday a tentative agreement with Continental. “Our members demanded we prevent the massive pay cuts and pension losses suffered by Flight Attendants at other carriers, and we succeeded,” said William O’Driscoll, President of IAM District 142.  The terms of the four-year tentative agreement include preservation of wage rates for current Flight Attendants; a top base pay rate increased to $50 per hour prior to the end of the agreement and a no furlough clause. The agreement also includes language to provide enhanced crew rest; improved commuter and reserve issues and participation in profit sharing and stock option plans. Terms of the tentative agreement will be available on the District 142 website, http://www.iamdl142.org/fa  In-person ratification voting will take place over a twelve day period from January 18-29, 2006. A separate but simultaneous strike vote will also be taken.  

Flight 1425 from Mexico City to Houston had to be evacuated Monday using the emergency slides when the crew detected smoke after the 737-800 landed.  The evacuation went well, and customers praised the flight crew for the way they handled the situation.  The Union would like to thank the Houston crew for a job well done.   

Delta Air Lines and its pilots union have agreed to temporary concessions while they negotiate long-term pay cuts. Delta is operating under bankruptcy protection and says it must reduce pilot pay to survive. The union will submit the temporary agreement to members for ratification. The two sides will continue negotiating a permanent agreement.  A bankruptcy court judge approved the temporary agreement that will reduce pilot pay. Pilots must ratify the deal by December 28. The two sides will continue to negotiate a permanent agreement.  

Northwest Airlines mechanics will vote on an agreement that will end a strike and put them in line for jobs behind replacement workers hired by the carrier. The striking mechanics would receive four weeks of layoff pay. The airline has flown throughout the strike, which started August 20. 

The company has informed the Union that new federal regulations have been enacted that change the taxability of pass travel for U.S.-based employees’ dependents after December 31, 2005. This change does not impact dependents’ ability to use pass benefits, only the taxability of pass travel for certain dependents over 18 years of age. Federal taxes will be calculated in the same manner as Buddy-pass travel.  Employees can find more information under “Employee Travel” at http://insidecoair or www.coair.com and in Shares at GG PASS DEP TAX.

As previously announced: 

The Grand Lodge has announced the 2006 Scholarship Competition and brochures and applications are available from you Local Lodge.  The competition is open to all IAM members and their dependents.  Please contact your Local Lodge for information.  All applications must be postmarked no later than February 24, 2006.

Due to the IAM Organizing Summit in January, the Local Lodge meeting for has been changed to January 17. 2006.

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, January 17, 3:00 p.m. at the Wyndam Hotel. 

Cleveland: Thursday, January 19, 4:00 pm at 669 North Rocky River Drive; 

Guam: Wednesday, January 16, 4:00 p.m. at the Airport Conference Room;

Houston: Wednesday, January 25, 1:00 p.m. at 15710 JFK Blvd;