The Update Message from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
representing Flight Attendants in the 2339 Local Lodges

Friday, August 27, 2010
 

Continental Flight Attendant Negotiations Update

The Negotiating Committee met in Denver, Colorado with Continental Airlines for contract negotiations  daily from August 16 through August 27, 2010.

With an ever-changing landscape and the eminent possibility of a merger, it is critical that we preserve and protect our future.

The Negotiating Committee’s goals were clearly defined by the membership; focus is on pay, pension and our job security and job flexibility.  The committee has successfully worked through many sections of the contract and is well on the road to securing an agreement.

The following sections were addressed and discussed during this two week session as well as the meetings in July: Section 2 - Definitions, Section 3 - General, Section 4 - Compensation, Section 5 - Scheduling, Section 6 - Required Meetings and Training, Section 7 - Travel Expenses, Section 8 – Vacation, Section 9 - Sick Leave, Section 10 - Medical Examinations, Section 15 - Uniforms, and Section 24 - Benefits.

The next session of negotiations will begin the week of September 20, 2010.  All of us thank you for your continued support and encouragement during contract negotiations 2010.

Stay informed, stop the rumors and get the facts at www.go142.org. 

IAM flight attendants participated in the Coalition of Flight Attendant Unions meeting last week in Pittsburgh, PA.  The IAM and the five other unions which represent flight attendants in the U.S. discussed bargaining issues, health and safety concerns, and the ongoing fight to pass the FAA Reauthorization Bill in Congress.  If you have any members of Congress on your flights, please remind them of the importance of passing this bill, which contains many provisions which will benefit flight attendants, such as workplace safety protections and cabin air quality and fatigue studies.

ExpressJet Flight Attendants:

FLEX VACATION – DEADLINE to sign up for Flex Vacation is August 27, 2010.  You must elect to participate on an annual basis.  Please see CIL 10-049 for full details.

Your Negotiating Committee returned to the William W. Winpisinger Education & Technology Center on August 26, 2010 to craft contract proposals in preparation for our meeting with the company on September 20, 2010.

Act Now to Secure FAA Reauthorization

Every three to five years the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is funded through legislation in the House and Senate.  This is one of the few opportunities for Congress to provide direction and oversight to this agency which is so critical to airline workers.

The previous FAA reauthorization expired in September of 2007.  Since that time, the agency has continued to be funded through a series of 15 "short term" extensions.  The current extension expires September 30, 2010.

Among the bill’s highlights is a requirement for the FAA and OSHA to resume their work on developing workplace safety and health protections for Flight Attendants.  The bill also requires the FAA to take steps to combat contaminated aircraft air, instructs the FAA to act on the recommendations from the recent flight attendant fatigue study, closes a loophole that permits smoking on charter flights and directs the FAA to develop a drug and alcohol awareness and rehabilitation program for Flight Attendants.

Congress needs to act now.  If Congress passes another extension then there will not be enough time in the congressional calendar to pass this bill.  When the 111th Congress adjourns in December, any unfinished legislation will be discarded.  Do not let the FAA Reauthorization become one of these unfinished bills.

To help secure passage of the FAA Reauthorization, use this link to send an e-mail message to your U.S. Senators urging them to “Pass the FAA Bill.”  If you have Senators on your flights, please make sure you stress to them the importance of passing the FAA bill."

We would like to encourage all members to attend your Local Lodge business meeting.  Each Local Lodge must have a quorum to conduct business.  The following is a schedule for upcoming meetings: