Flight attendants reach interim Continental agreement

Continental Airlines and International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 142, on behalf of the carrier's 9,500 flight attendants, reached (30-Sep-2010) a tentative interim collective bargaining agreement, with voting on the agreement to commence in mid Oct-2010. IAM stated that although Continental and United Airlines are expected to complete their corporate merger today (01-Oct-2010) operational integration will not occur immediately. The interim agreement becomes amendable on 31-Dec-2012. A transition agreement that will cover the combined Continental/United flight attendant group must be negotiated following the resolution of union representation issues. A decision on union representation will not occur until the National Mediation Board determines a single carrier exists for flight attendant representation purposes.[more - Union] [more - Continental]

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers: "This 26-month tentative interim agreement addresses merger-related issues, increases compensation and enhances job security provision. We have negotiated immediate benefits for the membership and important protections that will safeguard flight attendants through the operational integration with United ... We wanted to lock in wage increases and merger protections now, while preserving the opportunity to return to the bargaining table in 2012, or sooner if representation issues are resolved," IAM Flight Attendant Negotiating Committee. Source: Company Statement, 30-Sep-2010.