Pilots at United Continental vote ‘overwhelmingly’ to authorise strike action
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18 July 2012
Pilots at United Airlines and Continental Airlines have spoken “speaking clearly, loudly and with a unified voice” to authorise a withdrawal of service.
93.9 per cent of the eligible pilots, who are represented by ALPA, participated in the ballot. Of those 99 per cent voted in support of a withdrawal of services, should it be required.
The authorisation follows two years of negotiations for a new joint pilot contract following the merger of the two airlines. “If the National Mediation Board”, explained an ALPA statement, “concludes that further mediated negotiations will not produce an agreement, it could release both sides into economic self-help after the expiration of a 30-day cooling-off period, at which point a strike could ensue”.
Captain Jay Pierce, chairman of the ALPA unit representing the Continental pilots, commented “The strength of this vote clearly indicates the level of frustration our pilots have with management’s disinterest in reaching a conclusion to negotiations. Our pilots are tired of management’s lack of progress with the merger and the damage to our airline that grows every day. Management would be wise to note the resolve of their pilots and to reconsider the substantial benefits that can be obtained by working with us”.
While Captain Jay Heppner,chairman of the United Master Executive Council, remarked, “Over the last decade, pilotsmade several major sacrifices to help the airline survive and management has done absolutely nothing to restore those sacrifices. In fact, they have done the opposite by offshoring and outsourcing our jobs at the very same time they have given themselves millions of dollars in salary, bonuses and perks. When management makes decisions based on their own needs instead of the needs of customers and employees, the company suffers, which is what is happening today. If a strike is what it is going to take to wake up the company’s leadership, the pilots are prepared to act.”
