Hoffa, Local Teamsters Sue Continental Airlines

Friday, September 18, 2009
Topics: Economy, Other
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International Teamsters President James Hoffa was in Cleveland today, in part to file a federal lawsuit against the Continental Airlines. The Teamsters is backing 3,700 non-unionized aviation industry technicians in the U-S, and demonstrated that support with a noontime rally featuring workers, labor officials, and politicians. ideastream®'s Rick Jackson reports.

WORKERS CHANTING WITH US REP KUCINICH: “What time is it?Teamster Time!”

Spurred to a fever pitch by U.S. Representative Dennis Kucinich, nearly 100 Teamsters and Teamster-hopefuls drew attention to their belief that Continental Airlines fleet service workers NEED union representation.

The lawsuit seeks an injunction against what the union termed are Continental’s continued violations of workers’ rights.

Amy Duke is an 18 year airline employee in Cleveland who spoke about the uncertainty of working without a contract. She says escalating jet fuel costs lead the airline to request concesssions from her group, benefits that were not restored, once fuel prices fell.
She fears a reccurence.

AMY DUKE: “Continental ramp agents don’t know what’s coming from one day to the next.”

The Teamsters filed a similar, successful suit against United Airlines several years ago.
Today, Union President Hoffa demanded the airline also stop what he called anti-union activities that were instituted specifically to keep the Teamsters away.

JAMES HOFFA: “We are a power in the airline industry. We are going to go out and organize. But the most important thing is, it’s about the people having justice; having a good contract; having a say in where they work. It’s about dignity, and it’s about making sure we have Teamster power!”

The workers stressed that being ‘pro union’, does not mean they are ‘anti-Continental’.
90.3 calls to Continental Airlines for a response were not returned this afternoon.
Rick Jackson, 90.3.