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

Friday, June 23, 2006

Continental Flight Attendants are reminded that transfer requests on-file will be removed July 1st, 2006, in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.  Section 12.B.4., Base Transfers, states, “Transfer requests remain on file until granted, replaced or withdrawn, rescinded by the Company, or until July 1st, whichever comes first.  (All requests will automatically expire on July 1st each year.  Flight Attendants who continue to desire to transfer after July 1st must therefore resubmit such requests.)”  The Company offers additional information regarding the transfer request expiration in Inflight Bulletin # 06-18, stating “Those of you who currently have transfers on file who are still interested in transferring, may either submit a new request after July 1st (and prior to the July 5th deadline), or may indicate your wish for your request to remain on file after the July 1st expiration date by checking the box supplied for this purpose on the transfer page of the Inflight Forms System.  Requests to transfer for the August bid month must be on file by 1000 hours local time on July 5th.”  Continental Micronesia Flight Attendants also have this provision in their agreement, Section 17. K.  If you have any further questions about this process contact your Base or Inflight Administration Department or your IAM Union Representatives.

All International Flight Attendants are reminded to check the expiration date of all work visas they are required to have in their passport, such as a French or Chinese work visa.  Several crew members have been immediately deported and not able to remain with the return portion of their trip due to an expired work visa.

Continental Airlines Flight Attendants can now pick-up their new Collective Bargaining Agreement.  The new contracts are available at the Duty Desk in your respective domiciles.  The new agreement features more space on each page to offer members a place to jot down notes and an improved index to help locate specific information more quickly.  All members are encouraged to carry their copy of the contract, when working, to reference if you think there has been a violation of the agreement.  As a reminder, you have 30 days from the date of the incident to file a grievance.  If you have any questions regarding the new contract or a possible grievance, please stop by the Grievance Desk or contact your Local Lodge Union Representatives for assistance.

IAM District 142 Elections take place this month at your Local Lodge monthly business meetings.  If you are voting by absentee ballot, be sure to mail your ballot back to your Local Lodge in time for it to be counted on the day of your monthly business meeting in June.  You can also vote, in-person, at your Local Lodge monthly business meeting.  Votes will be counted by the tellers in each Local Lodge.  Total results will be announced in early July, after all Local Lodges have held their June monthly business meetings and the District 142 Trustees have verified all election results from the Local Lodges.  Please exercise your right to vote and participate in your monthly Local Lodge business meeting.

ExpressJet Negotiations remain in recess under the direction of the National Mediation Board.  Negotiations are currently in mediation, under the Railway Labor Act.  The Mediator assigned to ExpressJet called a recess to negotiations on April 27th, 2006, after determining that the parties still needed to confirm the costing of major elements of a possible new tentative agreement.  We will keep you advised of any new developments and possible dates for future negotiations when they become available.

Comair Will Ask Judge to Void Attendant’s Contract - Comair will ask a bankruptcy judge to void the contract with its flight attendants. The airline, a unit of Delta Air Lines, said talks with the union representing the workers have stalled and it must lower costs to exit bankruptcy protection.  Negotiations broke off in April, but U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Adlai Hardin ordered the sides back to the table in May, after ruling that Comair could not impose wage and other cuts on its 970 flight attendants. The judge said his ruling would not prevent Comair from filing a second motion seeking concessions if the two sides were unable to resolve their differences.  Flight attendants believe the concessions Comair is seeking from them would cut much deeper into their wages, benefits and work rules than the concessions demanded of the airline's pilots and mechanics.  The proposal would cut flight attendants' pay by 7.5 percent. Total concessions would average $3,700 in pay and benefits per flight attendant, per year.

Delta Notifies PBGC About Plan to Terminate Pension - The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation has received a notice saying that Delta Air Lines plans to end its pilots' pension plan. After the plan is terminated, the PBGC becomes responsible for paying out benefits.

Northwest Requests Extension on Reorganization Plan - Northwest Airlines has asked a judge to give it three more months to file a reorganization plan. The airline is still negotiating concessions with the union representing its flight attendants.

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, July 11th, 3:00 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel.

Cleveland:    Thursday, July 13th, 4:00 p.m. at 669 North Rocky River Drive.

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

Houston:       Wednesday, June 28th, 1:00 p.m. at 15710 JFK Blvd.