From Deseret News archives:
Continental offers health benefits to early outs
The pilots' union is pushing for job-sharing and other measures that would reduce the need for layoffs, a union official said Friday.
Continental announced this month it would cut about 6.5 percent of its work force and reduce capacity as it tries to deal with skyrocketing fuel prices. The Houston-based company lost $80 million in the first quarter.
"We are offering all of our work groups voluntary plans to reduce the number of involuntary furloughs and terminations that will be required due to capacity cuts," said Continental spokeswoman Mary Clark.
Continental has made an umbrella offer to all labor groups that includes the health benefits and free travel privileges for employees and their families until 2023.
Mark Adams, a spokesman for the pilots, said Friday that there was no cash component to the offers, which have a reply deadline in late July.
Adams said pilots are negotiating a separate deal that could include leaves of absence or voluntary reductions in flying for pilots.
"We're trying to save the company money and save pilots' jobs," Adams said. "Our goal is not to have a a single pilot lose his job, but obviously there are going to be staffing reductions."
Continental has not said how the 3,000 job cuts will be divided among pilots, flight attendants, mechanics and other employees. Adams said the company hasn't said how many pilots it wants to shed it has about 5,000 out of a work force of about 45,000.
Continental announced the job reductions on June 5 and said it would cut capacity 11 percent beginning in September and retire 67 airplanes by the end of 2009. Last week, it said it would eliminate service to 15 cities around the world and reduce operations at its three hubs, with the deepest cuts in Cleveland.
Comments
- Two American pilots die in Iraq 12:47 a.m.
- Murder suspect is vetran, avid skier 12:47 a.m.
- MLB: Zambrano's mom kidnapped 12:32 a.m.
- Lambert surprisingly tops news 12:25 a.m.
- Philadelphia transit strike ends 12:25 a.m.
- TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd 12:24 a.m.
- 12 high schools ready for 'The Turf' 12:17 a.m.
- RSL unfazed by conference final 12:17 a.m.
- Korver and Miles to be evaluated 12:17 a.m.
- Today on TV 12:13 a.m.
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
216 - House passes health care bill
201 - Lobo suspended
173 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
151 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
129 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - Thousands protest health bill
102 - Provo company innovating engines
101 - Utes pound winless Lobos
89 - BYU cuts Women's Research Institute
88
STOP blaming the Democrats, BLAME THE REPUBLICANS FOR 8 YEARS DOING NOTHING...
The best way to break the law is to become someone who enforces the law.
It's a real shame so many folks have never gotten out and gotten to know the...
It's all talk... you do not have any evidence for your claims. You assume...
Maybe if you could bat .408 in the major leagues, you too would be paid a...
I prefer the “Wizard of Earthsea” quartet by Ursula Le Guin, an...
The bottom line question that no one can possibly answer is; what will be the...
It looks to me like special treatment.
Jazz will have a tough week, with what should be a easy win against the...
I am very excited for this game. As much as I want the Utes to win, it won't...


You can be the first to comment on this story.