Sisters and Brothers:
In an announcement today, United Continental Holdings, United Airlines’ parent company, will purchase an ownership stake in regional carrier ExpressJet Airlines.
ExpressJet Airlines, which had an operating loss of about $300 million last year, currently performs short haul flying for United Airlines and American Airlines. The American flying is scheduled to end in January 2019.
“For years, ExpressJet flight attendants have had to work under increasing financial uncertainty,” said IAM General Vice President Sito Pantoja. “This new partnership, coupled with the assurances and protections that a new IAM contract will provide, will help ease any concerns about their future job protection and provide the stability ExpressJet flight attendants deserve.”
The IAM and ExpressJet, who are under National Mediation Board (NMB) supervised negotiations, are awaiting resumption of negotiations for agreement on a new contract for the carrier’s nearly 1,000 active and furloughed flight attendants.
“Your negotiating committee is confident that today’s announcement will help us reach the improved agreement our flight attendants expect. We thank the ExpressJet Flight Attendants for your perseverance and patience. An obstacle to the carrier’s uncertain future has now been removed,” said IAM District 142 President Dave Supplee.
The IAM will use this development to urge the NMB to schedule negotiating dates as soon as possible. We will also continue to urge ExpressJet to negotiate with or without the attendance of a federal mediator.
In solidarity,
Sara Gonzales Marche’ Johnson-Cooper
GENERAL CHAIR SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE
