Continental Airlines Grievance Procedure Works

 by Chris Moore, Teamster Continental Airlines mechanic, Houston

I am a 21-year Continental mechanic and a member of Teamsters Local 19 in Houston. As chief union steward at IAH Line, I help to work with and resolve my coworkers’ concerns and grievances.

Our Teamster contract levels the playing field by providing an enforceable set of work rules and a grievance procedure that works. The grievance procedure at Continental Airlines as provided for in Article 19 of our collective bargaining agreement (CBA) gives us a structure within which we can resolve our disagreements with the company in a timely fashion.

Our contract spells out the steps to follow and the time limits for both non-disciplinary and disciplinary issues. We have found over time that many of our grievances arise from simple miscommunication and are often resolved at the first level (speaking with a steward and supervisor) without ever having to fill out a grievance form. This is particularly true in overtime bypass situations, where in many cases the member has only to contact the administration office and once the bypass is verified the member is compensated at the applicable rate.

In instances where we cannot agree to a resolution at a supervisory or administrative level, the CBA provides for an appeal to the regional director of maintenance. At this level the grievant, his steward and the Teamsters local union business agent meet to review the grievance and the facts involved.

Of the 80 grievances filed at IAH line over the past 20 months almost all have been resolved at or prior to this level. If the company and the union are still at an impasse, the next step is to refer the case to the System Board of Adjustment where the union and the company present their case to a panel of four—two from the union and two from the company. If the issue is still unresolved, we then proceed to arbitration. It is important to note at this time that the above mentioned overtime bypass Article 17-8 K 1-2, was inserted into our contract as the result of an arbitrator’s decision, which is the final step in our grievance process.

In addition to the grievance procedure, and in an effort to keep the lines of communication open at IAH, the union and the company meet weekly to discuss and resolve workplace issues before they become grievances. 

As a Teamster, I know I can rely on the established rules of our contract to effectively deal with grievances in a timely and professional manner. All aviation mechanics deserve the same.