Teamsters Local 210

Continental Fleet Service Workers made history on Friday, February 12, 2010 when ballots were counted and the results showed than an overwhelming majority of workers voted to join the Teamsters. We Won! Continental Victory

Healthcare Reform Now!

I would like to take this opportunity to wish each of you a healthy, happy 2009/2010 holiday season. Being a part of IBT Local 210, we work hard to fight for contracts that provide good wages, benefits and working conditions for our members.

That’s why we need to pass the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). Although it has been eclipsed by the debate over healthcare legislation, protecting the basic right to join a union by passing EFCA remains a high priority for Local 210 and the entire labor movement.

We strongly believe that, like a fair wage, good healthcare is a right, not a privilege. It is something that everyone should have, which is one reason we continue to encourage others to unionize. Unfortunately, millions of Americans are experiencing a grim holiday season and an uncertain future. The fact remains that 10.2 percent of the nation is currently unemployed. That’s the official figure, but we know unemployment is really much higher.

Local 210 is offering our members FREE CLASSES at the Local 210 offices. Classes have already started, but it’s not too late to sign up!!

We are offering Introduction to Computers and English as a Second Language classes

Classes are given at the 210 office — 110 Wall Street, 3rd Floor; close to the Wall Street stops on the 2, 3, 4 and 5 subway trains or to the Broad Street stop of the J and M trains. To register, call Sixta Gonzalez, Coordinator of the Scholarship & Education Fund, at (212) 757-3463, Ext. 265.

In February 2009 the IBT conducted a successful organizing campaign for the Dispatchers of Atlas-Polar, Inc. (AAI).

AAI is a unique carrier that, at the time the Dispatchers were organized was an all-747, all-cargo operation. Another aspect that distinguishes AAI from other carriers is the fact that AAI maintains two separate certificates, one for Atlas Air and one for Polar Air. As a result, the AAI Dispatches and their duties are maintained by the Company as separate units and there is no cross-utilization between the two groups.

Board Nears Rule Change on Unionizing

Teamsters President James Hoffa urged Continental Airlines to respect workers’ rights to unionize during a Local 210 rally in October at Newark Liberty Airport. Hoffa also announced that the IBT has filed for an election.

“The time is right to organize ramp, cargo and customer services workers,” Hoffa said. “There’s a backlash taking place in this country because workers have gone backward. People are outraged by excessive corporate profits and executive salaries and they’re fighting back.”

IBT Local 210 represents approximately 500 Flight Attendants employed by World Airways, Inc., an air carrier whose parent company is Global Aero Logistics, Inc. (GAL). GAL is also the parent Company of North American Airways, Inc.

World Airways is primarily a charter carrier and the majority of their business consists of the movement of military personnel and supplies. World has also operated a scheduled civilian flight for the past eight years, but that service is scheduled to cease in May of 2010.