Continental Pilots Rally March 12 in New York City Financial District in Support...

Continental Pilots Rally March 12 in New York City Financial District in
Support of Contract Negotiations
Pilots demand 'repayment for loans' made under concessionary contract

NEW YORK, March 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Continental pilots,
represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l. (ALPA) demonstrated
today in New York's financial district and in Battery Park to tell management
that "the loan is due." Over four hundred and eighty Continental pilots
participated in the event, joined by pilots from other ALPA carriers and
independent pilot unions.
Capt. Jay Pierce, chairman of the Continental pilots union, stated, "We
have given up over $200M annually since 2005 in contract concessions that
Continental claimed were necessary to overcome the threat of bankruptcy.
Continental is now one of the most prosperous carriers in the industry. The
days of Continental pilots funding the company's operations are over. We are
making a demand for payment that not only includes payment for our loan, but
security for our futures. We demand to share in the record earnings our
company made on the backs of pilots."
"What the pilots are owed is more than simply pay increases. Continental
pilots are flying more hours, have seen attacks on their quality of life and
suffered threats to retirement and benefits," Capt. Pierce said. "We're tired.
We're flying more demanding schedules that can lead to fatigue and keep us
away from our families. We miss birthdays, anniversaries and our children's
first steps. It's not just about pay. It's about having quality healthcare for
our families and making sure the retirement we were promised is still there
when we retire. It's about the overall quality of our working agreement."
The union expects to begin negotiating on economic items such as pay,
scheduling and retirement and insurance benefits within the next two months.
Contract discussions began in July 2007, but have focused largely on non-
economic issues such as leaves of absence, physical exams and grievance
procedures. The Continental pilots' contract becomes amendable on December 31,
2008.
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world's largest pilot union representing
nearly 61,000 pilots at 43 airlines in the U.S. and Canada.
Contacts: Capt. Mark Adams, 281-987-3636 or mark.adams@alpa.org
Amy Flanagan, 281-987-3636 or amy.flanagan@alpa.org
Jim Moody, 281-987-3636

SOURCE Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l

Capt. Mark Adams, +1-281-987-3636, mark.adams@alpa.org; Amy Flanagan,
+1-281-987-3636, amy.flanagan@alpa.org; Jim Moody, +1-281-987-3636, all of Air
Line Pilots Association, Int'l