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

Friday, October 13, 2006
 

Continental Flight Attendants Receive Pension Information Training – More than 75 Flight Attendants from , Cleveland and Houston attended a one-day training session October 11th in , to learn more about the IAM National Pension Plan. The meeting focused on understanding the benefits the plan offers and how to explain the value of the pension plan to fellow union members. The feedback from the attendees has been so positive that the Union is scheduling additional pension information sessions at each base. Check with your Local Lodge Base Representatives for more information regarding these additional sessions as it becomes available. Remember, when it comes to your current pension plan, you have a lot you can lose…Learn what you have to gain by transitioning to the IAM National Pension Plan.

Unions Join Forces to Protect Voting Rights – The IAM is joining forces with AFL-CIO unions and allied organizations in a nationwide effort to ensure minority voting rights are protected in the upcoming mid-term elections. “From the Florida debacle that delivered the White House to George Bush in 2000 to the vote count scandals in Ohio four years later, it is clear that partisan efforts were made to suppress fundamental voting rights in minority communities,” said IAM Executive Assistant Diane Babineaux. “Local union activists and volunteers will take part in the AFL-CIO 2006 Voter Protection Program, targeting 25 cities across eight key states, including Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.” Voter turnout is critical in midterm elections, where as many as 30 million fewer voters participate due to the absence of a presidential contest on the ballot. “There are 36 states electing governors in addition to 436 House seats and 33 Senate seats up for grabs in this election,” said Babineaux. “The stakes could hardly be any higher.”
 

Your IAM Representatives Urge You to Register and Vote November 7th!

Continental To Report Third-Quarter Profit – Continental Airlines says it expects to report a third-quarter profit and has accrued an employee profit-sharing pool of more than $100 million through Sept. 30. Last year, the airline posted a third-quarter profit of $61 million.
 

Continental Airlines Flight Attendants are reminded that their 2007 Benefits Enrollment has begun. You can access information on how to enroll, view the changes to the plan, and where to go to find information through the CCS home page by clicking on ‘MyCOAIR’. The 2007 Benefits Enrollment will continue through October 27th, 2006.
 

As a reminder, LL2339H voted to change the date of their monthly business meeting.
It is now held on the third Tuesday of each month. The new date is reflected in the meeting information at the end of this message.

TWU Fails To Organize Continental Baggage, Cargo Workers – The Transport Workers Union has lost its bid to organize Continental Airlines baggage handlers and cargo agents. The union says it fell about 285 votes short of winning the election. Continental says it is pleased with the outcome.

Northwest Airlines Adds Trans-Atlantic Routes – Northwest Airlines is adding more routes to European cities as part of its restructuring plan. It will launch flights from Detroit to Brussels and Dusseldorf next Spring. The carrier will also launch a daily nonstop flight from Hartford, Conn., to Amsterdam in July.
 

Judge Delays Ruling on Mesaba Labor Contracts – A bankruptcy judge decided today to delay his ruling, for three more days, on whether to allow Mesaba Airlines to void its current labor contracts. The company says it must have the ability to lower pay to stay afloat if it can not reach agreements with its labor unions.

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: