Mon, Jul 13, 2009
Culmination Of Two Years Of Effort
Continental pilots applaud today’s DOT announcement of
final approval for Continental to join the existing antitrust
immunized alliance with United and eight other Star alliance
carriers. As Continental transitions from the SkyTeam to the Star
alliance, this grant of immunity allows Continental to join and
participate in the Star alliance as an equal partner.
“We have supported the granting of antitrust immunity to
help our airline remain competitive and are optimistic about the
opportunity that this presents. We look forward to capitalizing on
the future benefits of Continental’s participation in the
Star alliance and its position as an immunized carrier. We believe
this is a positive step for our carrier, our customers and our
pilots. However, the pilots, as essential partners, must benefit
from the potential that immunity offers,” says Captain Jay
Pierce, union leader of the Continental pilots. Continental pilots,
along with pilots at United, are represented by the Air Line Pilots
Association, Int’l (ALPA). Capt. Pierce adds, “For the
partnerships and joint ventures proposed under this plan to
succeed, pilots at the affected carriers must play a key role. We
will not support any plan that does not recognize our contribution
or attempts to pit one carrier’s pilots against
another.”
Continental and United pilots have been coordinating efforts for
nearly two years as the two carriers courted first a merger and now
Continental’s entry into the Star alliance as an immunized
carrier. The support has also extended to cooperation during
bargaining efforts, with both pilot groups currently in contract
negotiations with their respective companies.
Says Capt. Pierce, “We will continue to work with the
United pilots’ leadership as these partnerships are
developed. It is in the best interest of both our pilot groups to
ensure that adequate labor protections are included in these deals.
United management’s actions in forming an alter ego airline
(between Aer Lingus and UAL) have made us very aware of the lengths
that they will go to, at the expense of labor, to line their own
pockets.”
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