Release #08.CAL7
August 13, 2008

Continental Airlines Pilots and Families Hold Event for New Contract
Families send message to Continental management: ‘It’s my contract, too!’

CLEVELAND—Nearly 150 Continental Airlines pilots and their families participated in an event held today in support of the pilots’ ongoing contract negotiations. The event was held in conjunction with a meeting of the union’s leadership at the Cleveland Airport Sheraton this week. The Continental pilots are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA).

“The Cleveland pilots and their families turned out in force today to meet with their union leadership and show that they’re solidly behind the union’s contract negotiating efforts,” said First Officer John Person, chairman of ALPA’s local Cleveland council. “This event was important because we need to remember, and Continental management needs to remember, that a new contract doesn’t just affect Continental pilots—it affects our families, too.”

Pilots, spouses, and other family members in attendance were able to ask questions about the status of contract negotiations and other issues before heading out to attend a baseball game downtown.

“We expected a large percentage of area pilots and families to turn out, and we weren’t disappointed,” said CAL Master Executive Council Chairman, Capt. Jay Pierce. “Everywhere we’ve held events, whether it’s New York, Houston, or now Cleveland, the Continental pilots have demonstrated that they must be taken seriously by management. We see the concessions we’ve given up as a loan that is now due.”

The pilots’ union has been in contract negotiations with Continental management since July 2007. To date, the parties have tentatively agreed on eight sections of the contract. The Continental pilots’ contract contains over 30 sections and some 50-plus separate letters of agreement. In May of this year, the Continental pilots’ union master executive council received a $5 million grant from ALPA to be used toward their contract negotiations efforts.

Founded in 1931, ALPA represents not only the 5,000 Continental Airlines pilots (250 of whom are Cleveland based), but nearly 55,000 pilots at 40 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. Visit www.alpa.org for more information.

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CONTACT: Amy Flanagan, amy.flanagan@alpa.org or 281-987-3636