Tue, Mar 11, 2008
Still Foresee Possible Joining With Other Carrier
On Monday, Continental Pilots voted in favor of an assessment
that will increase funding amounts to bolster their merger fund,
according to the Air Line Pilots Association.
"The ratification of the measure shows that pilots at
Continental Airlines are preparing themselves in the event the
Airline becomes engaged in a potential merger," said Capt. Jay
Pierce, the leader of the local Continental pilots' ALPA chapter.
The money from the assessment would be added to funds already in
the union's merger war chest.
As ANN has reported,
Continental's name has been floated around as a potential merger
candidate with United Airlines... but speculation in recent weeks
has grown quieter, as a proposed merger between Delta and Northwest
-- considered the bellwether for further industry consolidation --
stalled on disagreement between pilots unions at both of those
carriers.
That doesn't mean Continental's pilots think the issue is dead,
however. "If Continental management announces its intent to merge
with another airline, we'll be ready," Pierce said.
"If we determine that a merger is designed for the benefit of
airline executives, Wall Street financial groups and legal firms at
the expense of pilots, airline employees and the flying public, we
will use all lawful means necessary to ensure the completion of
that transaction is unsuccessful, " declared Capt. Pierce. He
continued, "We have invested a substantial part of our lives making
Continental Airlines what it is today, and we will vigorously fight
any action that even hints at destroying that investment."
The pilots union for Continental pilots sent a letter to company
management stating their formal requirements for support of a
merger. Among the stipulations are the creation of a profitable
merged company with sufficient market presence and network scope to
provide a stable platform for growth and sustainable profits; fair
and equitable seniority list integration; an expedited Collective
Bargaining Agreement for the merged company with substantial
improvements for all pilots; shares in the equity of the merged
company.
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