Agreement Provides For Multiple Job Protections, Significant Wage Increases

Fleet service workers at Continental Airlines have ratified their first contract. The agreement, which covers about 7,600 workers, was ratified by an 84-16 percent margin and goes into effect retroactively to July 1, 2010.

"This is a milestone for Continental fleet service Teamsters," Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa said in a news release Wednesday. "I congratulate these workers on their first major agreement and vow to put the full force of the Teamsters Union behind them as they approach a second contract for the combined CAL-UAL workforce."

The agreement comes less than a year after the work group voted to become Teamsters, and the union says it offers protections to fleet service workers during Continental's merger with United Airlines.

Improvements and gains in the contract include protections against unjust discipline, terminations, outsourcing and furloughs, and provides for 10.5 percent pay increases over the life of the 30-month contract.

"This contract is a good first step for CAL workers," said Miguel Vasquez, a fleet service worker in Newark, New Jersey who served on the negotiating committee. "This contract gives us added protections that we need, including an important grievance procedure."

"We are pleased that our fleet service co-workers have ratified this agreement," said Scott Dolan, senior vice president of Airport Operations at United. "This is a positive step forward as we continue to work with all of our employee groups to develop contracts that are fair to our employees and the company."

FMI: www.continental.com, www.teamsters.org