Teamsters, Continental Reach Tentative Agreement for Fleet Service Workers

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International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Nov 29, 2010, 02:45 ET

Proposed Contract Includes Four Wage Increases, Job-Security Language, Other Gains

WASHINGTON, Nov. 29, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Teamsters Union and United Continental Holdings, Inc. have reached a tentative agreement for a first contract covering 7,600 fleet service workers at Continental that provides four wage increases over the next 30 months and many other gains, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa announced today.

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"With the power of the Teamsters, the fleet service workers who joined our union last February got a solid tentative agreement in record time," Hoffa said. "This tentative agreement sets us up well for the merger process — it protects our members and gives our members raises and improvements."

"This tentative agreement puts us in a strong position to bargain the amalgamated contract later on in the merger process," said Captain David Bourne, Director of the Teamsters Airline Division. "Our negotiating team, made up of Teamster business agents and Continental fleet service workers, were exceedingly thorough in their approach and worked very hard. This agreement is the first step in the process of improving standards. We appreciate the efforts of the company to work with us in developing a fair contract, and look forward to building on this relationship in future negotiations." ‬

Gary Welch, a fleet service worker based in Houston, served on the Teamsters Negotiating Committee.

"It is very impressive and unusual that we achieved a good first contract after five months of negotiations," said Welch, a 14-year employee. "We are getting four raises over the life of the contract, and many other improvements that will enhance our job security and livelihoods. While there was more we would like to have achieved, we are well positioned for our next round of negotiations that will take place in the near future."

"I would like to commend the members of the Negotiating Committee for all their contributions to make this tentative agreement a reality," said Dan Smith, Teamsters Airline International Representative and Co-chairman of the Fleet Service Negotiating Committee.

The proposed contract is for 30 months, retroactive to July 1, 2010. It contains 10.5 percent in guaranteed raises compounded over the life of the contract, strong job-security language, profit sharing, shift-differential pay, longevity premium increases, an improved displacement procedure, improved grievance procedures and many other improvements.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.Teamster.org.

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters