Teamsters General President Joins Continental Workers at Rally in Newark
NEWARK, N.J., Oct. 16 Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa joined hundreds of Continental workers Friday at a rally here to announce that the fleet service workers had filed for an election to join the Teamsters Union. Newark is the second largest Continental hub employing 2,600 of the airline's 8,000 fleet service workers across the country.
With the filing, the fleet service workers have taken the next step toward exercising their right to join a union. Under Hoffa's leadership, they hope to join the 3,700 aviation technicians at Continental who are already represented by the Teamsters.
"This is a great day for Continental's fleet service workers across the country," Hoffa said. "Your hard work has led to this day, and seeing the energy and solidarity of this crowd, there is no doubt in my mind that together we will win respect and dignity in the workplace for every fleet service worker at Continental."
"We are proud to file for Teamster representation," said Gary Welch, a Continental fleet service worker out of Continental's Houston operation. "The Teamsters will give us the strong voice in the workplace that we have never had. I know with the union's help, we can improve our working conditions at Continental."
Hoffa also voiced his support for the Continental aviation technicians who are currently involved in ongoing negotiations with the company for a new contract. The workers made concessions in 2005 to help the airline survive the financial challenges it was experiencing at the time that still remain in place today. The union believes it is long past time to amend these concessions and reward the aviation technicians for their skill and dedication with a strong contract that ends the concessions.
Hoffa demanded that Continental cease anti-union activities targeting the fleet service workers and also called for the company to recognize the continued sacrifices by the aviation technicians who are already represented by the Teamsters.
"The concessions our workers made in 2005 were key to Continental successfully navigating through a difficult time," Hoffa said. "These aviation technicians did their part. Now it is time for the company to show the same loyalty."
The Teamsters Union was founded in 1903 and represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters
