June 10, 2010 - More than 225 Continental pilots gathered on Wednesday, June 9, at the site of the Continental Airlines shareholders meeting to remind management that labor, specifically pilots, is the key to the ultimate success of a Continental-United merger.

The pilots were joined by other unionized Continental employees, including flight attendants, fleet service workers, and mechanics, as they marched from the Continental headquarters in Houston, along the streets in downtown Houston, and over to the meeting, which was held at a downtown hotel. Pilots from United, FedEx, and a Star Alliance carrier also participated, bringing the total number of participants to nearly 300.

During the meeting, Capt. Jay Pierce, CAL MEC chairman, addressed the president and board of directors, saying, “The ultimate success of the merger is contingent on immediate and contractual assurances of wage rates, retirement, work rules, and job protections that are commensurate with our education, experience, and responsibilities. Let me be very clear: In order for this merger to be a true success, a commitment must be made to labor that we will share in the rewards. It might be true that you can consummate the business deal without our support, but its success depends on us.”
• Click here to view a photo slideshow of the Continental pilots’ rally.