Continental Negotiations
Update – To All Continental Airlines Flight Attendants:
Negotiations continued
under the auspices of the National Mediation Board (NMB) in
Manassas, VA, November 14-17, 2005. On Tuesday, November
15, 2005, the Chairman of the Board Ms Read Van de Water
addressed the Union and the company’s negotiating
committees. Ms Van de Water stressed the need and the
urgency to conclude the negotiations as soon as possible.
She stated, in the event the parties fail to reach an
agreement, the NMB is prepared to move the process to the
next step under the Railway Labor Act (RLA). This final
step is the 30-day cooling off period at the end of which
the parties can resort to self help.
As previously presented
to the membership, Steps 1 through 12 under the RLA, outline
the process of reaching a new agreement. Step 12 is SELF
HELP – At the end of the 30-day “cooling off” period, the
Union and the company are free of any legal restraint. The
company has the option of imposing its own work rules and
wages. The Union has the option of accepting those rules
and wages, or electing to strike.
CEO Larry Kellner, in a
message to our membership, emphasized the need to conclude
the negotiations. During these sessions we have tried to
conclude an agreement but the parties failed to do so by the
end of sessions on Thursday, November 17, 2005. The major
issues remaining are retirement, wages, commuter policy, and
crew rest.
The company must
understand these issues must be addressed in a positive
manner if we are to conclude an agreement and avoid a more
disastrous situation.
The NMB has scheduled a
final session at its offices in Washington, DC for the week
of December 5, 2005. The NMB also requested that the
Industry Update and wage and benefit comparisons that were
presented to the negotiating committee be distributed to all
the flight attendants by way of placing the documents in
your V-files.
Your patience and
understanding of the process is appreciated. Your support
and solidarity will help us conclude these negotiations. We
will continue to keep you advised of all future developments
as they occur.
ExpressJet Flight
Attendant Negotiations Update – To All ExpressJet Flight
Attendants:
On Monday, November 14,
2005 ExpressJet management requested a meeting with the IAM
to brief us on their negotiations with Continental Airlines
to renew the agreement for Continental’s regional operation
(capacity purchase agreement).
The parties will notify
the National Mediation Board as to these developments. As
soon as the board schedules further flight attendant
negotiation dates we will update you of what those dates
will be.
Thank you for your
continued support.
Flu shots will be
available at
the onsite Whole Health Clinics at IAH, CLE and EWR,
beginning Wednesday, Nov. 9, during normal clinic hours. At
IAH and EWR the Whole Health Clinic is open from 6 a.m. to 8
p.m., seven days a week. The CLE Whole Health Clinic is open
from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. The cost for a
flu shot is $15, payable by check or cash. The flu shots are
available on a first come, first served basis, while
supplies last.
Due to the Thanksgiving
holiday
the
Houston union meeting has been moved up one week to November
16.
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, December 13, 3:00 p.m. at the Doubletree
Hotel.
Cleveland:
Thursday, December 8, 4:00 p.m. at 669 North Rocky River
Drive.
Guam:
Wednesday, November 16, 4:00 p.m. at the Airport Conference
Room.
Houston: Wednesday, November 16, 1:00 p.m. at 15710
JFK Blvd.
