Join Forces To Promote, Protect Mutual Interests
The pilots of United and Continental Airlines announced
Thursday their intent to align efforts geared toward promoting the
careers and futures of their respective groups in the face of the
recent Global Cooperation agreement between their respective
airlines. Leaders of the two pilot groups, both represented by the
Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), decided to build upon the
relationship formed when merger discussions involving Continental
and United brought them together earlier this year.
As ANN reported June 19, United Airlines and
Continental Airlines announced an agreement to link their networks
and operations worldwide, and for Continental to join the Star
Alliance. Both unions say the agreement not only represents a new
dynamic for both airlines, it also has the potential for
significant impact on the careers of the pilots of both
airlines.
"Just as United and Continental management have decided to form
an alliance to strengthen the relative positions of their airlines
against competitors and reap the benefits of a cooperative
relationship, we are also positioning ourselves to use the combined
strength of our pilot groups to leverage opportunity and defend
against any threats their alliance presents," Captain Steve
Wallach, chairman of the United Chapter of the Air Line Pilots
Association and Captain Jay Pierce, chairman of the Continental
Chapter of the Air Line Pilots Association, said in a joint
statement.
"Both our pilot groups have given up millions upon millions of
dollars in pay, retirement provisions and benefits so that our
airlines could survive. As our management teams develop their new
business plans to meet the challenges of today's airline industry
and economic environment, we must be included in the process. The
corporate arrangement hashed out between United and Continental
will only be maximized with the full involvement and support of
both airlines' pilots."
As
part of the effort, the pilots from both airlines will coordinate
information sharing, will work together to develop strategy, and
will cultivate a joint action plan aimed at enhancing the careers
and futures of both airlines' pilots. The relationship expands
beyond the normal level of commitment shared as members of ALPA,
and involves a greater level of communication, coordination and
planning.
"The alliance between our two pilot groups will provide our
members a strong, unified and determined voice; one that will have
to be reckoned with as our two airlines move forward under their
new agreement," said the two union leaders. "We will work together
to ensure that the pilots of United and Continental are heard and
our concerns are addressed."
The Houston-based Continental MEC, which represents 5,000 pilots
and the Chicago-based United MEC, which represents 6,700 pilots,
are part of the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA),
which represents nearly 55,000 pilots at 40 airlines in the United
States and Canada.