Tue. May 17, 2011
The National Mediation Board (NMB) is mailing voting instructions this week to more than 24,000 United, Continental and Continental Micronesia Flight Attendants, who will have until June 29 to choose the union that can best produce a single contract for the combined group. Flight Attendants can vote by phone by dialing 1-877-NMB-VOTE or online at www.nmb.gov after receiving their voting instructions.
The IAM currently represents approximately 9,400 Flight Attendants at Continental, where they recently negotiated a contract that secured comprehensive work rules, a defined benefit pension and a range of health care choices, in addition to the highest wages in the industry. The IAM also represents the Flight Attendants of Continental Micronesia, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Continental.
By contrast, the over 15,000 Flight Attendants at United Airlines, who are represented by another union, are still working under a restrictive contract with a top pay rate that is $13,035.60 less than the rate the IAM negotiated for Continental Flight Attendants.
"Greater resources, bargaining experience and higher levels of democracy and transparency are just some of the reasons why many Flight Attendants at United Airlines are anxious to secure IAM representation, and why Continental and Continental Micronesia Flight Attendants want to preserve what they have," said General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr.
For the latest election information, visit www.iamnow.org.
