INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MACHINISTS & AEROSPACE WORKERS, LL2339N

JUNE, 2011

FLIGHT LINE
Interview: UNITED for IAM
Interview by: Katie (Cady) Kaneko with United FA Michael Castro What makes a UAL flight attendant want to support the IAM? I met and chatted with Michael Castro. He is a 15-year flight attendant based at JFK and believes his co-workers are way over due for positive change. They have been working under rules that were ratified in a contract from 1997. Additionally, United flight attendants had to sign two concessionary contracts due to their bankruptcy. But bankruptcy for UAL ended in 2005so why do they still operate with a 1997 agreement with the AFA?
Interview: UNITED for IAM Presidents Message Grievance Report/ AIDS Walk NYC 1 2 4 5 6

This was a great opportunity for me to hear from someone who actually Legislative Conference flies the line and lives and breathes by an overextended and expired AFA contract/agreement.
Reserve Summit

_____the AFA strategy is to wait and prolong negotiations, then to ask the company for the impossible._____

Flight Line A Monthly Publication President-Joey Guider V.P. Mike Becerra Editor-Michael Zirulnik All Content of IAM Local Lodge 2339N 2011, All Rights Reserved www.LL23394u.org

CK: So Michael, let's get right to the point. What is the most important reason you support the IAM over the AFA? MC: I cannot overlook the acquiring of US Airways by America West in September 2005. And yet, to this day flight attendants are still in negotiations conducted by the AFAa situation all too familiar with our membership at United. In 1997 the AFA contract was probably a good contract but its now 2011 and the airline industry dynamics are definitely not what it used to be. It is now six years since UAL emerged from bankruptcy. It seems to me the AFA strategy is to wait and prolong negotiations, then to ask the company for the impossible. Who really wins when there is gridlock in negotiations? (continued on page 3)

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MACHINISTS & AEROSPACE WORKERS, LL2339N

JUNE, 2011

Presidents Message

Dear Members, June has been filled with anxiety and excitement as we edge closer to seeing history being made June 29 at 2p with the representation election for CAL/UAL flight attendants. Since the announcement of the merger on May 3, 2010, the IAM has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to get the message out about how and why the IAM is the right choice for taking the combined group into the future.

Voting will close promptly at 2pm on June 29. Your vote is a decision that goes beyond the individual, having an impact on our families and our quality of life. I encourage you to take the time to engage each other, consult your friends and speak with your family as you decide how you will cast your vote for your flight attendant career. On a related community note, the local lodge has been busy with community involvement that brought thousands together at AIDS Walk NYCtime we can quit talking shop and give back to society. Moreover, our legislative team seized the remarkable opportunity to meet with their Members of Congress to discuss and advocate for flight attendant issues. On the negotiating front, the National Mediation Board (NMB) assigned Mr. Darr as the lead mediator for contract negotiations between IAM flight attendants and ExpressJet (XJT) Airlines. With this assignment, we expect the NMB will realize that XJT Airlines has not come to the table in good faith negotiations, only to move the process forward in an effort to see our flight attendants secure a solid and deserved contract, inclusive of improved work rules and increased wages. Lastly, aligned with the IAM/CO tentative contract, phase II of our negotiated reciprocal jumpseat agreement brought more reciprocal cabin seat agreements online, inclusive of: AirTran Airways, Spirit Airlines, Horizon Air, JetBlue Airways, US Airways, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines and US Airways Express operated by Air Wisconsin Airlines.
Best Wishes,

Joey Guider President

If I went [back] to workthe first thing Id do is join a union.

Franklin D. Roosevelt 2

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MACHINISTS & AEROSPACE WORKERS, LL2339N

JUNE, 2011

An Interview: UNITED for IAM

Interview by: Katie (Cady) Kaneko with United FA Michael Castro (continued from page 1) If we as a membership work with the company to get what we can every few years, then our contract should match the growth of business, just as the IAM had redirected their negotiations when a merger was imminent. They immediately prepared a protective and tentative agreement for their flight attendants so their work rules, pay, pensions and so forth are not compromised during the initial proceedings. It seems machinists get faster results than flight attendants for flight attendants. This is why I support the IAM. CK: I understand your local lodge is called a council. How does the council decide the spending of union dues? MC: The council President and officers will determine the priority of spending. It seems at the IAM local lodges, the local membership is invited every month to vote on the distribution of union dues on everything from office supplies, venues of monthly meetings to travel compensation for union officers. If Im going to automatically contribute to my union every month, then I want to be given the opportunity to determine how it gets spent. This process creates accountability. The AFA seems to run a totalitarian organization where too few people control all the decisionmaking. Its definitely time to try something new. Because of the way AFA is structured, it doesnt work for this new airline. It was probably an efficient union at another time but we need to move forward. CK: If you come across a co-worker who is not sure which way to vote and he/she asked for your advice, what would you offer? MC: For the majority of flight attendants we are most concerned with lifestyle, pay and pension. So I would tell them to look at lifestyle. Some flight attendants were, at one point, added income to the household. Now, in this current economy, many have had to become the primary income. With the IAM contract, families can adjust and make ends meet. Some can continue to be added income and work as needed. Single flight attendants can control exactly how much income they need to be independent and self-sufficient because the IAM contract allows this. As far as pay, well the base pays are considerably higher with the IAM agreement and they just added a term called "white flag" pay worth 150% hourly when the company is short on coverage. Pension, well the AFA has nothing. CK: It was a real eye-opening conversation we shared and I am grateful for your honesty and allowing me to share your thoughts with the rest of our IAM lodge members on why you support the IAM. Is there anything you would like to add in regards to the union organizations? MC: Continental and Continental Micronesia flight attendants need to vote! Im hearing too much about voting instructions being in their bags and will get to it later or on the layover. As an IAM member please do not be complacent or take anything for granted. You have everything to lose and absolutely nothing to gain if the votes are not cast. This vote is about your collective future as a flight attendant. Lets strive to get 100% of the vote!

VOTE NOW IAM UNITED!

3

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MACHINISTS & AEROSPACE WORKERS, LL2339N

JUNE, 2011

Grievance Committee Briefing

By Julie Hill 1. This past month, the EWR local lodge fought to win grievance settlements for our membership in excess of $40,000.00 paid out to our members that filed claims. 2. People who commute from non-CO cities (UA express/Shuttle America), please continue to file grievances for COs continued violation of our contract with regard to the OOPS policy. 3. IMPORTANTIf you pickup a trip out of open time, you have one hour to reverse the pick up. So if they declare a White Flag day within one hour after you pick up the trip, exercise your right to reverse the pick up and then pick up again to take advantage of the White Flag pay. The union still contends that it is a White Flag Day...not a White Flag Morning or Afternoon.....but a White Flag DAY. Your union contends that if you pickup on the day that has been designated as a White Flag Day you still helped the company on that day and you are entitled to the 150% pay rate.

AIDS Walk, NYC

By Chris Boelens

IAMs flight attendants hit the pavement this past May for AIDS Walk New York in Central Park. All money raised provides medical care, home-delivered meals, women's and children's services, and much more throughout New York City and the tri-state area. As a Gold team with AIDS Walk New York, we raised $3,000 for the Gay Mens Health Crisis Center (GMHC). Our international camera crew joined us for a first hand look at our community involvement. The video, "Rain or Shine We Walk," was produced and released at GOIAM.org. Despite the pouring rain, the dedication of the 25 participating IAM flight attendants made the event a success. AIDS Walk New York raised $6.3 million dollars and had more that 45,000 participants at this years event. Legislative Chair Christopher Boelens set the tone for the 6 mile walk that lied ahead in stating, "our work with HIV/AIDS does not stop because its raining." James Franco, a Continental Airlines Flight Attendant, was this year's 'fundraiser of the year' raising over $600 for the IAM Flight Attendants team. We appreciate having such a strong member participating in the IAMAW'S outreach of community involvement. Our goal is to promote our members and friends through advocacy and action in partnering with organizations like GMHC. 4

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MACHINISTS & AEROSPACE WORKERS, LL2339N

JUNE, 2011

IAM Legislative Conference

By Chris Boelens

(from left to right: Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Jen Michael, Christopher Boelens, Julie Taylor-Frietchen and Carli Cappelli)

IAM flight attendants from both Continental and ExpressJet Airlines had the opportunity to attend the IAM Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. May 9th-12th. Thanks to the high profile presence of the IAM on Capital Hill flight attendants, Christopher Boelens, Jen Michael and Carli Cappelli had meetings with Congressman Dennis Kucinich (OH-D), Donald Payne (NJ-D), Albio Sires (NJ-D), Frank Pallone (NJ-D), Leonard Lance (NJ-R), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-D), Gene Green (TX-D) and NJ Senators Robert Menendez and Frank Lautenberg. The legislative committee lead by Flight Attendant Christopher Boelens opened up dialogue with these elected leaders from New Jersey, Texas and Ohio to promote some of the most pressing safety concerns of our flight attendants. Our meetings with these elected leaders were very serious and significant progress was made on these very important issues. OSHA Regulations for flight attendants has been the topic of our lobbying efforts for many years. It is time for members of the house and the Senate to finally get serious about safety and health for flight attendants. We urged Congress to include language in the FAA Reauthorization Bill that would require FAA and OSHA to conduct proper oversight of air carrier programs and conduct on board inspections. Currently, the FAA doesn't even consider our aircraft cabins as a work environment and we desperately need regulation of cabin layouts, cleanliness of our galleys and to enforce adequate workplace guidelines. We also lobbied for an investigation into cabin air quality, as flight attendants routinely work in aircraft cabins with poor air quality. Cabin Crew fatigue is a major safety concern, the current regulatory requirements covering rest and duty periods are inadequate. Flight attendants are safety professionals working long and irregular shifts across multiple time zones and as a result of the turbulent economic times in the airline industry, air carriers have pushed flight attendants to rest minimums time and time again. These are all issues that we need to continue to pressure our lawmakers to demand that our safety is made a priority. (continued on page 7) 5

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MACHINISTS & AEROSPACE WORKERS, LL2339N

JUNE, 2011

By Will Napoleoni Reserves throughout the Continental and United network meet in Maryland on May 22nd through May 25th to discuss a number of issues that have been occurring with both systems. This formal IAM sponsored reserve summit gave flight attendants the opportunity to review survey results. The results offered input on what direction they would like to see the IAM move towards as a new reserve system is devised for the New United. Some of the top issues identified include: - Immovable days off - Increase monthly pay guarantee - Increase callout times - Crew rest/duty day limitations - Vacation issues

Second Reserve Summit Report

Something entirely new must be created, and this merger provides a rare opportunity to start from scratch.

This survey was an important step, moving the IAM and the New United in the right direction towards crafting a new reserve system. However, our summit was indicative that much more input will be needed from the flight attendants to chart the course for a system that works for all of us. The only way to keep the momentum going and allowing us to plot the right points on our path is though proposal solicitations, collecting suggestions from reserve committees at each base, and continuing collaborative reserve summits. If you are interested in attending the next reserve summit please contact Will Napoleoni at wsnst1@gmail.com . In the IAMs commitment to improve the lives of all IAM flight attendants, It is clear that none of the current Continental, Continental Micronesia and United Reserve systems will work for the combined Flight Attendant group, said General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. Something entirely new must be created, and this merger provides a rare opportunity to start from scratch.

By Brandon Maberry EVERY VOTE COUNTS! We have hit the final stretch. We have just about 2 weeks before union representation will be decided by the members. Now is the time for you to stand up, and make a decision. Do you want to keep the flexibility to instantly trade your trips? Do you want your voice heard? Yes? Then vote IAM. EVERY VOTE COUNTS! When you get your instructions, vote promptly. Don't be the one who puts it off until the end and forgets to vote. Remind your coworkers to pick up the telephone or get on the Internet and VOTE. It is your responsibility to decide on your livelihood and future earnings. Keeping the IAM on property also sends a message that you cannot afford to lose the lifestyle that you are accustomed too. Make an informed decision and wear your union wings with PRIDE! Walk the walk and talk the talk. EVERY VOTE COUNTS! Stand up for your union, your co-workers and yourself. VOTE IAM! We are IAM UNITED! VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE - VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE - VOTE VOTE 6

VOTE NOWIAM UNITED!

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MACHINISTS & AEROSPACE WORKERS, LL2339N

JUNE, 2011

IAM Legislative Conference

By Chris Boelens (continued from page 5) Your Legislative team from Newark also had the opportunity to hear from Cabinet level Transportation Secretary, Ray LaHood. Secretary LaHood discussed creating new jobs in the transportation sector that would help diminish the countries high unemployment rate. After our initial meeting with Senator Robert Menedez (NJ-D) we were contacted by his staff to assist establishing new legislation regarding job creation in New Jersey. This is one more example that the IAM and the Flight Attendants in Newark are a powerhouse when it come to legislative reforms and delivering on political action that promotes our cabin crew, families and our country.

Risky Business
By David Janousek THOUSANDS of Subsidiary United Airlines Flight Attendants are seeing the benefit of the IAM each day. Thousands have voted for the IAM and many more are leaning on the fence towards us. This flight attendant for flight attendant slogan is just that, rhetoric and not action. Big talk and no action simply isnt cutting it anymore with anyone. Craft unions will not persevere for much longer. We, at Continental Airlines, have the best contract of ALL the legacy carriers. Reserves here have the most defined contract LANGUAGE compared with all other legacy carriers. Do your research. You just might be surprised. Most flight attendants from both CO and UA are looking over at AFA represented US Airways debacle and are frozen in fear, waiting another 6-10 years for a transitional agreement. Mix that with a constant division of both subsidiaries and you have just created World War III on planes and concourses around the system. The best way to get through this merger is to get through it TOGETHER. No one needs to wait until United Airlines flight attendants finish their contract. If AFA wins, that is exactly what they intend to do. We, at Continental, have had the benefit of having our union work with the companynot against it. For that, we have been rewarded with the flexibility and wages that we have come to know today. Talk to all of your flight attendant friends. Call them and make sure that they have voted. We are getting the votes from United. Now we just need the votes from all of you. Do not remain silent on this election or you will run the risk of putting us all out of the business of flying with flexibility, pensions, true democracy, and good wages. A wise man once told me, This election is theirs to lose and ours to win. 7

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MACHINISTS & AEROSPACE WORKERS, LL2339N

JUNE, 2011

In SolidarityUnion Strong

STAY INFORMED

LL2339N Monthly Business Meeting Date June 14, 2011 July 12, 2011 Aug.9, 2011 Sept. 13, 2011 Oct. 11, 2011 Nov. 8, 2011 Time: 3pm (eastern) Place: EWR Marriott Hotel 1 Hotel Road Newark, NJ 07114

. STAY INFORMED

IAMAWLL2339N
One Gateway Center, Suite 2600 Newark, New Jersey 07105

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