The Union continues to post questions and answers based on inquiries to the District 142 web site and to Union representatives in the crew rooms.  These Q&As can be found at www.iamdl142.org/fa.  Please use this important tool to get updated information regarding the ongoing ratification process.  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.  

Recently, emails have surfaced on the web spreading false information regarding the Tentative Agreement.  A Q&A regarding the ratification process was mailed today from District 142 which serves to correct the information that has been circulated in an apparent attempt to confuse the membership.  The mailing will also be placed in flight attendant v-files.  The following questions and answers are included in the letter: 

Q:        What happens if the tentative agreement is approved by the membership?

A:        Pay for January vacations and training will be at the new contract rates and there will be no 401(k) match for the month of January.  All other provisions of the agreement will be effective the first day of the February bid month.  

Q:        What happens if the tentative is voted down?

Q:        If the Company rejects the proffer mentioned in the first question, don’t they just implement the tentative we are now voting on.

A:        No.  The Company would be free to implement any wages, work rules and benefits.  There is no implementing the tentative you are voting on unless it is approved and ratified by those voting. 

Q:        What happens if I don’t vote?

A:        Only votes cast are counted.  Failing to vote is neither a “yes” nor a “no”.  Failing to vote is putting your decision in the hands of others.

Continental will announce its fourth quarter and full-year financial results for 2005 the morning of Tuesday, January 17.  Larry, Jeff and Executive VP and CFO Jeff Misner will brief financial analysts and the news media during a conference call to be webcast live over the Internet at 10 a.m. CST.  Beginning Tuesday at noon CST, co-workers also will be able to hear the recorded financial briefing by calling (800) 231-6723.

Pilots at Northwest Airlines voted to freeze their defined benefit pension plan. Northwest, which operates under bankruptcy protection, wants to switch to a plan based on employee contributions.

Subject to Mexican government approval, Delta Air Lines announced today that it plans to launch service from five U.S. cities to 12 cities in Mexico by June. The airline also is seeking DOT approval for three additional routes to Mexico by summer.  As reported January 5 in the Houston Chronicle, Delta has specifically targeted Continental, saying it intends to overtake Continental as the number two airline to Latin America and the Caribbean. 

The Chicago Tribune  reported Tuesday that United Airlines has nailed down $3 billion in loans that will allow it to emerge from bankruptcy protection February 1. The article stated that United has cut $7 billion in spending, including dropping its pension programs and successfully seeking two rounds of pay and benefit cuts from workers.  United has postponed its planned purchase of 42 Airbus SAS planes until 2011.  United’s bankruptcy-exit strategy assumes oil prices will stabilize at about $50 per barrel; however, Standard & Poor’s airline analyst expects the airline will face oil prices this year that are closer to $60 per barrel.

The Wall Street Journal reported that a bankruptcy-court judge has granted Northwest Airlines six more months to develop a reorganization plan.“Attorneys for Northwest said the airline might not have a plan until the end of 2006 and reserved the right to seek further extensions,” the article said.  Last week, the judge overseeing Delta Air Lines’ bankruptcy granted a six-month deadline extension. The original deadline for both carriers was January 12.

Due to the IAM Organizing Summit this month, the Local Lodge meeting for has been changed to January 17. 2006, and the meeting for Cleveland has been changed to January 19, 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 Wyndham 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 23, 1:00 p.m. at 15710 JFK Blvd;