(The following story by Alison Grant appeared on the Cleveland Plain Dealer website on September 17, 2009.)
CLEVELAND — Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa will be in Brook Park on Friday to show support for hundreds of Continental Airlines fleet-service workers seeking union representation.
A Teamsters press statement said Hoffa will announce “a new development that will affect the ongoing campaign” at an 11:45 a.m. press conference at the offices of Teamsters Local 964 in Brook Park.
Continental had no comment on Hoffa’s visit or on union assertions that the airline engaged in anti-union activity.
Mark Frey, secretary-treasurer of Local 964, said Continental managers had removed union literature from bulletin boards in break rooms.
“The law entitles us on breaks and lunch periods to speak to workers about organizing,” he said.
The Teamsters are trying to organize about 8,000 fleet service workers nationwide, including 611 at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Fleet service crews handle baggage, load planes, work as cargo agents and operate the ground tugs that push back planes.
The Transport Workers Union of America tried in 2005 and again in 2006 to organize “under the wing” employees at Continental, but fell short in voting.
The Teamsters brought the fleet service campaign to Continental headquarters in Houston in mid-July. A parallel campaign is set for Continental’s hub in Newark next month.
Hoffa’s Cleveland appearance is also aimed at heating up negotiations under way for 3,700 Continental mechanics who are already in the Teamsters. That bargaining affects 263 Continental mechanics at Hopkins.
“The workers made concessions in 2005 to help the airline survive the financial challenges it was experiencing at the time that still remain in place today,” the union said. “The union believes it is long past time to amend these concessions and reward the aviation technicians for their skill and dedication with a strong contract that ends the concessions.”