Machinists Address Pensions, Airline Management At Senate Merger Hearing – Washington, D.C., January 24, 2007 - International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr., today testified before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on the potential impact of airline mergers and industry consolidation.  “Proposed mergers must be scrutinized to ensure that employees’ hard earned pensions are preserved,” said Roach. “At a time when airline-sponsored pension plans have either been terminated or under-funded, preserving existing pension plans, and extending benefits to employees without pensions, is a priority for the IAM.”  The IAM has been successful in negotiating replacement defined benefit pensions for members whose company-sponsored plans were destroyed, but many other airline workers have no guaranteed pensions. Machinists at US Airways, United Airlines, Aloha Airlines, British Airways, and Air Micronesia still have a defined benefit pension plan with the multi-employer IAM National Pension Plan.  IAM members at Northwest Airlines will participate in the same pension plan when that carrier emerges from bankruptcy and IAM-represented Continental Airlines Flight Attendants are currently voting to join the secure IAM National Pension Plan.  “When considering the merger of two airlines, a key element to consider is how their management handled past mergers,” said Roach. “US Airways has not yet negotiated a transition agreement with the Machinists Union that would merge our represented employee groups following its 2005 merger with America West Airlines.  In the midst of this still incomplete merger, US Airways has now made a $10 billion bid for Delta Airlines.  The financial sacrifices of US Airways’ employees are what put the airline in the financial position to make such a proposal. Their issues deserve to be addressed at the bargaining table before US Airways is allowed to merge with any other airlines.”  The Machinists Union was the only labor representative testifying at today’s important hearing. The IAM represents more than 100,000 airline employees in almost every classification, including Flight Attendant, Mechanic & Related, Fleet Service, Customer Service and Reservation Agents. The IAM’s complete testimony is available at www.goiam.org.

Ballots have been mailed to all Continental Airlines Flight Attendants to participate in a ratification vote on an amendment to the IAM/CAL Collective Bargaining Agreement covering "PENSION BENEFITS" while employed by Continental Airlines.  The ballot packet includes information on the IAM National Pension Plan (NPP), instructions on voting, and a DVD entitled “Secure Your Future”, featuring CAL Flight Attendants discussing the benefits of transitioning to the NPP.  The ballots were mailed to your address on file with the Union on January 17, 2007.  Ballots must be received by District Lodge 142 no later than February 13, 2007.  Please make any address updates at: www.iamdl142.org/fa or call District Lodge 142 at 816-452-6646.

Continental Micronesia Flight Attendants Join IAM National Pension Plan – In accordance with the provisions negotiated in their new collective bargaining agreement ratified in May, 2006, the Continental Micronesia Flight Attendants began accruing benefits in the IAM National Pension Plan (NPP) effective January 1^st, 2007.  Congratulations to the members of Local Lodge 2339G for “Securing Your Future” through the IAM National Pension Plan.

Continental Flight Attendants can now view a Pension Video entitled “Secure Your Future” that features fellow flight attendants discussing the differences and benefits of the IAM National Pension Plan as it relates to CARP.  To view the entire video online, go to www.iamdl142.org/fa right now.  Learn more about what you have to gain by transitioning to the IAM National Pension Plan.  Visit with your District and Local Lodge Representatives in your crew room or go to the NPP website at www.iamnpf.org for more information.