Although Continental and United Airlines have complete their corporate merger, operational integration will not occur immediately. The interim agreement becomes amendable on December 31, 2012. “We wanted to lock in wage increases and merger protections now, while preserving the opportunity to return to the bargaining table in 2012, or sooner if representation issues are resolved,” said the IAM Flight Attendant Negotiating Committee. 

A transition agreement that will cover the combined Continental Airlines/United Airlines Flight Attendant group must be negotiated following the resolution of union representation issues. A decision on union representation will not occur until the National Mediation Board determines a single carrier exists for Flight Attendant representation purposes. 

“The membership should acknowledge the work their Negotiating Committee performed under difficult and ever-changing circumstances,” said IAM General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. “The decision on whether to accept the agreement now rests with the membership.”