Friday, December 22, 2006
ExpressJet Charter Update –
December 20, 2006 – In the last bulletin addressing
this issue dated December 15, 2006, we advised appropriate
legal remedies would be pursued if the Company persisted in
going forward with the charter operation which we believed
violated the status quo provisions of the Railway Labor
Act. On Monday, December 18, 2006, we filed a Temporary
Restraining Order requesting the court to force the Company
to abide by the status quo provisions of the Railway Labor
Act. A hearing was held today on this request. In light of
our filing the Company advised the court they would abide by
the status quo of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and
will negotiate the provisions of the charter operation in
accordance with Letter of Agreement 6. It is unfortunate
that what should be an exciting development for the flight
attendant has come to this. We urge the flight attendants
that will fly these upcoming charters to be vigilant in
monitoring the Company’s requirement to comply with the
terms of the current agreement. Negotiations on this issue
will resume in early January. We look forward to
successfully concluding this matter to the benefit of
everyone involved. Your continued patience and support will
assure a fair and equitable resolution. Sincerely and
fraternally, Art Teolis, Julie Frietchen & Brian Wozniak,
IAM District 142 General Chairpersons.
Continental Flight
Attendants can now review a Pension Plan Q & A that
addresses many of the most frequently asked questions and
provides answers for you to consider. Copies of the
Q & A are
available in the crew rooms at the Union Desk or you can
view them online at
www.iamdl142.org/fa right now. Learn more about what
you have to gain by transitioning to the IAM National
Pension Plan. Visit the NPP website at
www.iamnpf.org for more
information.
EEMK General Grievance
Update –
As previously reported, District 142 has filed a General
Grievance over the disciplinary action taken over the EEMK
incident. Representatives of District 142 have heard the
grievance at the lower step of the grievance procedure in
accordance with Section 19 of the IAM/CAL collective
bargaining agreement. The case has been denied and appealed
to the President of the Company and a meeting is being
scheduled. A denial at this step will result in the
scheduling of arbitration before a neutral arbitrator for
final resolution of this grievance. We will update you with
information as it becomes available.
Delta Creditors Approve
Plan, Continue Weighing Options
– A committee of
Delta Air Lines' unsecured creditors said Wednesday it
supports the airline's plan to emerge from bankruptcy
protection as an independent carrier but will also consider
alternatives. The committee has been largely silent since
US Airways launched a bid to merge with Delta. "A number of
issues, including those left open in the plan of
reorganization, will be the focus of continuing discussions
between the committee and Delta over the coming weeks," the
committee said in a statement.
Northwest Mulls Purchase of
Mesaba – Northwest Airlines is considering
acquiring Mesaba Airlines, a move that could create more
jobs at the smaller airline. As a separate company, Mesaba
operates regional flights exclusively for Northwest.
Mesa Signs Deal To Create
First Chinese Regional Carrier
– Mesa Air Group
and China's Shenzhen Airlines have signed an agreement to
create China's first commuter airline. The joint venture
would introduce flights to China's underserved markets. It
is the first joint venture between a U.S. and a Chinese
passenger carrier.
Northwest, American Will
Reconsider Merger, Some Analysts Say
– Some analysts
and consultants believe American Airlines and Northwest
Airlines will reconsider a merger in 2007 as the airline
industry consolidates. Talks between the companies in 2000
collapsed. "The two potential obstacles to
merger-and-acquisition activities are labor and regulatory
concerns by the Department of Justice," Merrill Lynch
analyst Michael Linenberg says.
The Weekly Update Message
will not appear next Friday. It will return on
Friday, January 5th, 2006. Until then, we will notify you
of any important developments by bulletin or special updates
on the District Lodge 142 website:
www.iamdl142.org/fa
