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

Friday, October 20, 2006
 

IAM Journal Notes Governors’ Power - With less than a month before Election Day, voters in thirty-six states are poised to choose governors with the power to create jobs, control gas prices, expand (or restrict) collective bargaining rights and bypass the gridlock that routinely stymies lawmakers in Washington, D.C. “The consequences for union members are enormous,” said IP Tom Buffenbarger in the feature article in the latest issue of the IAM Journal. “From controlling utility rates to raising the minimum wage and preserving jobs, governors have the power to make things happen as soon as they take office.” The Journal article examines governors’ races in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, Kansas, Illinois and California, where stark contrasts on economic issues define Republican and Democratic candidates. “These five states, with more than 200,000 IAM members, could also determine the outcome of elections in 2008,” said Buffenbarger, who noted the impact governors in Florida and Ohio had on past presidential elections. While voters may have strong opinions on the latest scandal or national security, it is more often basic pocketbook politics that determines who gets their vote. In a recent IAM survey, likely voters overwhelmingly identified economic issues as what matters most to them. “While the national media is hyperventilating over Senate and House Races, the contests with the potential to affect issues that matter most to voters are governors’ races,” said Vic Fingerhut, who conducted the IAM poll.
 
Visit www.goiam.org to take part in a unique IAM campaign designed to give governors’ races in 36 states the attention they deserve.
 

Your IAM Representatives Urge You to Register and Vote November 7th!
 
Continental Reports Third-Quarter Profit - Continental Airlines reported a third-quarter profit of $237 million for the period ending September 30. The airline also confirmed that it 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 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.
 

Continental Airlines and Continental Micronesia 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.
 

ExpressJet Flight Attendants are reminded that their 2007 Vacation Bid deadline has been extended an additional day to October 22, 2006. The ExpressJet Flight Ops web site experienced an outage on October 17 & 18 and issued the following information: “If your bid was submitted anytime between 23:40 CST on Tuesday, October 17 and 23:40 CST on Wednesday, October 18, it must be resubmitted. The restore point for all bids was set back to Tuesday at 23:40 CST, therefore not reflecting any bids submitted between the restore point and when the system came back online. Please logon and verify that your 2007 vacation bid is correct and updated.” For contact information, refer to CIL # 06-55 or ask your IAM Local Lodge Representative.

Pilots Union Elects New Leader - Continental Airlines pilot John Prater was elected president of the Air Line Pilots Association on Wednesday. Prater said pilots are ready to "see a tangible return" on the concessions they have made for the airline industry.

Comair Reaches Tentative Pact With Attendants Union - Comair has reached a tentative cost-cutting agreement with its flight attendants union. The agreement includes a 7.5% pay cut and job protection for the workers if Comair, a unit of Delta Air Lines, is sold. Flight attendants will vote on the proposal by Nov. 14.
 

Judge Allows Mesaba To Reject Contracts - Mesaba Aviation may reject its contracts with workers, a bankruptcy judge ruled Monday. Unions renewed their pledge to strike rather than accept pay cuts. The judge will now hear the airline's request for an injunction against a possible strike.
 

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: