Mechanics at Continental Have Choices—Do You? 

 By: Eric Koester, Continental mechanic, Houston

 As a 20-year Continental Airlines mechanic, I went from being an unrepresented “at will” employee to having one of the best contracts in the industry—a Teamster contract. It’s come to my attention that you may be receiving some misinformation about Teamster mechanics at Continental Airlines. Here are some facts to clear the air:

As a Continental mechanic, I know that my work is secure. Even during concessionary negotiations, the Teamsters got Continental Airlines to bring a 757 heavy check line in house, resulting in more jobs and even more job security. At Continental we have consistent work rules and there are teeth in those work rules. If a guy gets bypassed for overtime, he gets paid. If we have a grievance, it gets addressed—not two years later, not a year later, but promptly.

Recently, we had Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust representatives come talk to us. We asked them to come to us so we could have more information on plan participation. We have choices. Now, how much choice did you, as UAL mechanics, have regarding your pension? Zero. Your pension fund is in the hands of the PBGC. The FACT is any changes in the mechanics’ pension at Continental Airlines will have to be approved by the members utilizing a VOTE. Keep in mind that Continental, prior to the Teamsters being on the property, had already taken away the mechanics’ pension through bankruptcy. Not once, but TWICE. Anyone who wants to stay in the Continental company retirement plan has obviously not learned their lesson. Continental Airlines and Frank Lorenzo wrote the book on how to dupe employees and investors out their share. United Airlines is just now figuring out how to play by that book. And it is a very dirty book.

As for Continental’s outsourcing percentages, Continental, without any real notice, shut down 75 percent of its maintenance bases BEFORE we had representation. The fact that Continental did this has everything to do with why we are Teamsters now. Continental will never be able to do that to us again. They know it, and we know it. The fact is—Continental has been hiring mechanics off the street now for years, including this year. How many mechanics has United hired in recent years? None. There’s a lot of furloughing going on at United, but not much hiring. Perhaps your association should change their name to the Aircraft Mechanics Furlough Association, because that seems to be what happens to the majority of their members (at carriers like Alaska Airlines, Northwest Airlines, and of course, United Airlines).

As a fellow mechanic working in the industry for many years, I can see clearly that no organization has done more to drag down job security and wage standards than AMFA. And as a Teamster, I can see that our working and living standards have improved immeasurably since we became Teamsters.

Back in the 1980s, I admit I was not a believer in unions. I am a believer now. Continental Airlines’ management converted me to becoming a fervent union supporter and activist. As a Teamster mechanic, I have peace of mind about my job security, which has enabled me to travel in support of your organizing efforts. I look forward to your election and can assure you that voting for the Teamsters is a decision you will never come to regret.