The union we are forming, the Teamsters Union, represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, including more than 40,000 workers in the aviation industry in every craft and class. As a strong and growing aviation union, the Teamsters Union negotiates the most solid collective bargaining agreements in the country. The Teamsters provide its membership with the best representation in the industry and gives workers in the aviation industry a voice at their job. Teamsters have represented aviation workers since the 1950s and are continuing to grow to help airline workers.

We are very concerned about Continental’s plans to lay off 1,700 employees, the planned Star Alliance and a possible merger. Given these major developments, we want to join the thousands of others, including the 3,600 Continental mechanics, to become Teamsters so that we will have a more secure future.

Growth Explosion

In recent years, the Teamsters have won huge organizing victories in the airline industry, not to mention victories in other industries. These victories illustrate the Teamsters Difference—the union’s ability to win elections. The airline victories include:

• More than 3,600 mechanics at Continental Airlines in 1998;
• 3,400 America West flight CSRs in September 2004;
• 9,300 active and furloughed mechanics at United Airlines in March 2008;
• Nearly 900 flight crewmembers at Atlas Air and Polar Air Cargo in December 2008, and
• 485 mechanics and related employees at Horizon Air in April 2009.

The Teamsters have an organizing model that works. Last year the Teamsters organized the 9,300 UAL mechanics. The Teamsters organized more than 43,000 workers last year and have a proven track record of success. The union is on target to organize another 40,000 workers this year, including the more than 7,000 CAL fleet service workers. The Teamsters have the experience and expertise to give workers a brighter future for themselves and for their families. We want to be part of this winning tradition, and we will succeed as Teamsters.

Recent organizing victories so far in 2009 include:

• More than 4,000 First Student school bus employees at numerous locations;
• 3,250 corrections officers in Cook County, Illinois;
• More than 1,500 newspaper and mail deliverers in Long Island, New York;
• More than 500 public employees in Hernando County, Florida;
• 400 public employees in Coral Gables, Florida;
• And thousands more!

Legislative Clout

The Teamsters Airline Division, under the leadership of Capt. David Bourne, is closely monitoring developments in the aviation industry and will have a voice in how the government implements policies to address the many challenges. The Teamsters are frequent visitors on Capitol Hill, meeting with key members of Congress and explaining to them the mission of the Airline Division. Many Teamster members join in these activities to get our issue heard in Washington—including fleet service workers.

Safety

The Teamsters Union is in the forefront in seeking protections for its airline members, who are frequently forced to work beyond the point of fatigue. The union continues to monitor all safety issues, including the fatigue of workers, closely. The union was pleased recently that the FAA issued safety recommendations to address the fatigue issue, and the union will follow-up to make sure the recommendations are carried out.

Expanding Programs, Outreach

The division continues to expand its programs, including the establishment of an Airline Division Advisory Board consisting of airline local unions. The board will give the division leadership advice and recommendations on division-wide projects and issues. The board will consider an entire range of matters affecting the division, including organizing projects and grievances that may have system-wide or division-wide impact. Relying upon their experience as Teamsters Airline Division leaders, the board members will share their knowledge and make recommendations to the division director on appropriate courses of action.

Local Union Autonomy

The Teamsters Union is made up of more than 450 local unions, which have a high degree of autonomy. The local unions collect the dues from members and develop their own budgets. About 80 percent of the money collected by local unions stays at the local level. This gives members at the local level more say in issues that are important to them in their own communities and worksites.

A Global Approach

Other unions may represent a certain class of aviation employees, but the Teamsters Union is unique in that it represents an array of workers throughout the global supply chain—air freight, ports, rail, freight transportation, warehousing, logistics and parcel. This gives all members a stronger say in the issues that make up this global transformation, and powerful leverage to make sure the issues of Teamster members are addressed.

The Teamsters Union is building solidarity with the global union federations and is building solidarity with its sister unions from around the globe. This partnership is increasing the leverage to win the strongest contracts.

As our world continues to be transformed through this growing global supply chain, the Teamsters Union is fighting to protect the interests of workers in the United States and on a global scale.