Airline Representatives Meet to Discuss Issues at Continental
Business Agents who represent Continental Airlines Teamsters met this past week to discuss problems they have been experiencing across the system and formulated plans to address these issues.
Also, a Section 6 letter was sent out and the group made plans to begin bargaining (see other story).
Representatives of
Teamsters Mail Letter to Seek Start to Negotiations
Teamster negotiators sent a letter to Continental on April 28 notifying the company of the union’s intent to open negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement.
The letter was sent via email and
“The negotiations will include matters relating to rates of pay, rules, working conditions, scope and other job protections, supplemental agreements, side letters, benefit plans, and the like,” Bourne wrote.
Continental Discussions Continue, Possible Continental and United Merger
The negotiating committee met in
Concerning the rumors of a possible merger of Continental with United, the negotiating committee is working in conjunction with the IBT Airline Division and the IBT Legal department to address the membership’s concerns with a memorandum. The collective bargaining agreement does address Successorship and Mergers in Article 1 D.
Mediation sessions are scheduled for the week of May 24-28 in
Week In Review News Items
Labor Developments
Union Unite is recommending its British Airways cabin crew members reject the company's latest offer. The union will ballot 12,000 staff on the decision over the next week, after negotiations failed to reach an agreement…this week the Teamsters are launching a campaign to remind the American public that people who drive trucks are not airline pilots.
In its annual review of most wanted transportation safety improvements, the NTSB updated its list of items requiring rapid attention and added a new urgent concern to the aviation category as a result of the investigation into last year's Colgan Air crash…citing the pilots who overshot MSP, the FAA wants airlines to give crews more training on staying focused.
A new federal directive will require Boeing to conduct speedy inspections to prevent potentially dangerous vibrations affecting certain flight-control surfaces on the tails of some of its 737 models…Southwest Airlines, the largest low-fare air carrier, was fined $200,000 for failing to comply with federal rules for bumping passengers from flights, the U.S. DOT said…with the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, the US Congress is ready to reap the benefits of the European Parliament's strengthened role and renew its ties with legislators in Brussels.
Airline Industry Finances & Structure
Wrapping up the corporate equivalent of speed-dating, United and Continental Airlines are expected to announce Monday that they are combining operations to create the world's largest airline. The transaction, which still must be approved by both airlines' boards, would be structured as a merger of equals, with neither side paying a premium for the other's stock…size matters — or does it? Airline carriers in the
Miscellaneous
The Senate Wednesday approved a bill to extend aviation programs and excise taxes through July 3…one reason some airlines are eager to charge fees for carry-on bags: There's no room at the (overhead) bin…the trend of airports offering valet parking has a new wrinkle. Indianapolis International has started selling simple car maintenance service to travelers using its valet parking for more than 24 hours. Among the services available: car wash ($9), "interior detailing" ($67) and oil change ($32)…U.S. airline passengers face more flight cancellations as carriers led by Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines seek to avoid fines for keeping planes waiting on the tarmac longer than three hours.