Originally Posted by
SoCalGuy
CAL-MEC
12/01/2010
CHICAGO PICKETING
More than 200 pilots from Continental, United and other carriers braved windy conditions and frigid temperatures to walk the line during informational picketing today in Chicago. The successful event, organized by the UAL MEC SPSC in coordination with the CAL MEC SPSC, came on the heels of well-attended events last week in Newark and Houston. All told, more than 850 pilots came together to stand united against management’s plans to continue and expand the practice of outsourcing flying to other airlines.
Management intends to use the CO code on flights from Continental hubs, using outsourced 70-seat jets, a practice the union believes is in violation of the Continental pilots’ current contract and an attempt by management to leverage a position in joint contract negotiations supporting further outsourcing of mainline pilot jobs. The Association and management have agreed to expedited arbitration on the issue and are scheduled to provide an arbitrator with information later this month. A decision by the arbitrator is expected before the end of the month, well prior to the announced start date of the flights.
Look for photos from the event in this Friday's MEC News.
It is Saturday morning and I am still waiting for the union message highlighting the success of the picketing. We need to do a better job of keeping the troops informed.