HOUSTON--(Business Wire)--
Continental pilots applaud today`s U.S. Department of Transportation
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."
ALPA represents nearly 54,000 pilots at 36 airlines in the United States and
Canada, including the approximately 5,000 pilots at Continental Airlines. There
are currently 147 pilots on furlough from Continental. Visit the ALPA website at
alpa.org.
Air Line Pilots Association
Amy Flanagan, 281-925-4601
amy.flanagan@alpa.org
Copyright Business Wire 2009
