Release #01.17
March 9, 2001

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) learned yesterday that a small group of Continental Airlines pilots filed a lawsuit in Harris County, Texas, court seeking to enjoin the current IACP leadership from proceeding with the proposed merger of ALPA and IACP.

The proposed Merger Agreement was approved and endorsed by an overwhelming 18 to 2 vote of the Independent Association of Continental Pilots (IACP) Board of Directors last December 12, and unanimously approved by ALPA’s Executive Council two days later. The Agreement is subject to a membership vote of Continental and Continental Express pilots. Ballots are scheduled to be mailed March 12, and counted by the American Arbitration Association on April 12.

Before the IACP Board’s December 12 vote, ALPA and IACP representatives and legal counsel engaged in an extensive due diligence process detailing financial and other aspects of the proposed merger, including a careful assessment of the provisions of the IACP’s Constitution authorizing a merger. Lawyers for each of the unions have given their opinion that the merger and the manner in which the IACP Board has chosen to proceed are absolutely legal and proper. "This last-ditch attempt to halt the merger of our unions is an effort to frustrate the Continental and Continental Express pilots’ right to vote," said Captain Duane Woerth, president of ALPA.

On March 9, IACP counsel will seek removal of the case to the Federal District Court in Houston. "I’m sure the IACP will defeat this foolish attempt by the small minority of Continental pilots who want to prevent the vast majority from voting on a change in representation," said Captain Woerth. "Continental and Continental Express pilots have overwhelmingly voiced their desire to vote on this issue. We have every confidence that this vote will go forward and this merger will be approved."

ALPA represents more than 59,000 airline pilots at 49 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. Its website is cf.alpa.org

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ALPA Contact: Don Skiados, 703-481-4440