October 14, 2005

File:      CO-18

2005-140

Continental Airlines Update

To All Continental Airlines Flight Attendants:

A federal district court judge has issued a decision in the IAM’s lawsuit against Bonnie Werner-Masuda, The McCormick Advisory Group (MAG) and UIFA.  The judge affirmed the award of almost $8,000 in sanctions against UIFA and its attorney.  The judge also rejected MAG’s argument that the entire case was a representation dispute subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the National Mediation Board (NMB). The judge did rule, however, that a technical application of the federal law required her to dismiss the federal claims without ruling on the state claims.

Therefore, the IAM will re-file our claims in state court.  The litigation so far has left no doubt in our minds that Bonnie Werner-Masuda’s improper use of the information she admittedly stole from the IAM violates numerous state laws, including improper use of trade secrets, conspiracy and misappropriation.

In the decision, the judge carefully reviewed the history leading up to the sanctions and slammed UIFA for its failure to adequately prepare its witnesses.  The Court was appalled by UIFA’s first selection of a representative as someone who never even attended a UIFA meeting and couldn’t even identify its organizational structure. She found that UIFA’s second attempt at a designee was not much better, noting that “such apparent lack of preparation cannot be tolerated.” 

In addition to pursuing civil action against Bonnie Werner-Masuda, MAG and UIFA in state court, the IAM is considering filing criminal complaints against the parties.          

Bonnie and her cohorts admittedly stole your personal information, breached your trust and exposed Flight Attendants to identity theft. The IAM will continue taking all necessary actions to protect Flight Attendants from such deceitful behavior.

We will continue to keep you advised of all future developments as they occur.

Sincerely and fraternally,

 

                                                                                        William O'Driscoll                       

                                          PRESIDENT-DIRECTING GENERAL CHAIRPERSON                                      

 

 Brent Thompson                                                 Art Teolis                                              Julie Frietchen

           Brian Wozniak                   Larry Newcomb

GENERAL CHAIRPERSONS

 

      Robert Korzuch II                                             Ed Miller                                              Rosalie Canton

PRESIDENT LL #2339N                        PRESIDENT LL #2339C                         PRESIDENT LL #2339H

 

                                                 Ernie Dominguez                                                               Sheila Hammond

                                           BASE CHAIRPERSON                                 NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE MEMBER