Unions Attend
Hundreds of the airline's workers, many clad in their flight attendant, mechanic and pilot uniforms, descended upon a Hyatt Regency ballroom on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 for what could be the company's last shareholder meeting under the Continental name. Several pushed for the airline to pay heed to labor rights in its proposed merger with Chicago-based United.
“In order for this merger to be a true success, a commitment must be made to labor that they will share in the rewards. We have most assuredly had our share of risks,” said Jay Pierce, chairman of the Air Line Pilots Association unit that represents Continental pilots. Before the meeting, about 200 Continental pilots, including some on furlough, and other union workers, marched a few blocks from the airline's downtown headquarters to the hotel.
Continental and its pilots have been in contract negotiations for three years. Pilots want a collective bargaining agreement with the merged company and improvements for the men and women who fly aircraft for both airlines, among other demands.
Fleet service workers, who load and unload bags, cargo and mail, became Teamsters this year, and several said they have suffered a hostile work environment. “There was no retaliation,” Smisek said. “We honor the wishes of our work groups.”
Teamsters Local 19 President Robert Rasch also represents mechanics and told Continental executives and board members these technicians have had their pay frozen since 2002. Mechanics and flight attendants are also in contract negotiations.
Corporate shareholder activist Evelyn Y. Davis peppered Continental executives with questions but was the only shareholder, besides airline employees, to speak. She asked about the company's legal fees and political contributions, among other issues.
In Solidarity,
Local 210-EWR