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

Friday, September 15, 2006
 

U. S. Remembers 9/11 Victims - All across America ceremonies and vigils marked the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that claimed nearly 3,000 lives in New York, the Pentagon and Pennsylvania. “Let us honor all of the victims of this terrible tragedy and never forget the great loss suffered by their families. Our union lost two members, Marianne MacFarlane and Jesus Sanchez, who were on one of the planes that hit the World Trade Center. We will never forget them. And we will never forget all those in the transportation and other industries whose lives have been forever changed by the senseless acts of violence five years ago,” said IAM President Tom Buffenbarger.  Soon after 9/11, the IAM produced Everyday Heroes, a documentary about union members who answered the call to help. On that fateful day, thousands of working men and women from every corner of the nation descended on the scarred cities to lend a hand.  Donations from the sales of “Everyday Heroes” went to help treat those who worked at Ground Zero. Five years later, first responders and thousands of volunteers who helped in what’s called “the greatest rescue mission in the history of the world” are still suffering.  According to reports recently released by the Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York, many of these men and women are sick from working in the harsh environmental conditions at these sites in the days and months following the attacks.

Your IAM District and Local Lodge Representatives have been in an on-going dialogue with Continental In-Flight Management to resolve the long wait for checked crew bags on flights returning from the United Kingdom.  In recent days, the wait should have decreased as the Company has said it is committed to making crew bags a priority in off-loading and sending to baggage claim.  Please contact your Local Lodge Union Representatives if you continue to have unreasonable waits for your bags and we will advise you of any new developments as they occur.

Local Lodge 2339C voted yesterday to change their Monthly Business Meeting time to 1:00 pm.  By a unanimous vote of the membership present at yesterday’s meeting, the decision was made to move-up the time of their meeting to better serve their membership by having the meeting at a time when more members will be able to attend.  The Monthly Business Meeting of LL2339C will continue to be the second Thursday of each month and the new time will be reflected in the meeting information at the end of this message.

Local Lodge 2339 Principal Officers Attend Conference - Eighty-six Local and District Lodge Officers last week attended the Transportation Department’s Principal Officers' Conference at the IAM’s William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Maryland. The annual conference allows the officers to meet with the entire Transportation Department staff and offer feedback and suggestions for new initiatives.  “The Transportation membership has gone through major upheavals in the last five years,” said General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. “We must collectively develop strategies to respond to the continuingly changing air and rail industries. This conference provides another avenue for officers to identify areas where we can better address the membership’s needs.”  Some suggestions include increased face-to-face communications, more specialized training programs, initiatives to mobilize the membership and vigorous organizing activities.  “The local leaders have spoken and the Transportation Department staff has already begun implementing their ideas,” said Roach.

United Kingdom May Ease Security Rules Next Week - U.K. officials next week may ease security restrictions put in place last month after a terror plot was foiled. Government and airline officials will meet Monday to discuss the rules, which include a ban on liquids in hand luggage.

Northwest Attendants Prepare For Strike - Northwest Airlines' flight attendants union is preparing for a strike and urging members to participate. A federal judge has temporarily blocked the strike, and the workers are waiting for a ruling on the legality of a walkout. Northwest, which operates in bankruptcy protection, says a strike could put it out of business.

Delta To Recall Some Pilots, Flight Attendants - Delta Air Lines says it will recall 65 pilots and about 200 flight attendants. The company, which is expanding operations, says it is on track to leave bankruptcy protection in the first half of 2007.

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, October 10th, 3:00 p.m. at the Doubletree Airport Hotel.

Cleveland:  Thursday, October 12th, 1:00 p.m. at 669 North Rocky River Drive.

Guam:          Wednesday, October 18th, 4:00 p.m. at the Airport Conference Room.

Houston:     Wednesday, September 27th, 1:00 p.m. at 15710 JFK Blvd.